OREANDA-NEWS. In July 2012, the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), one of the country's most prestigious universities, kicked off the construction of the Institute of Advanced Technology at Yonghe Village, located to the west of the Dashu Mountain and the south of Wangzui Reservoir in the provincial capital Hefei. It began recruiting postgraduates earlier this year.

With the institute as the center, the 2,000-mu scientific research park is drawing a lot of innovation giants worldwide.

The institute has teamed up with Microsoft, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Mobile and Alibaba to set up joint laboratories, said Wang Bing, assistant president of the institute, adding that Google, Apple and LG are all planning to expand their reach into the park.

"We aim to establish at least five state-level engineering technology research and development (R&D) centers, where more than 500 R&D programs will be carried out and 2,000 invention patents obtained."

A batch of national strategic programs will be launched by the institute, for example, quantum secure communication, international technological transfer and microelectronic and optoelectronic technology, according to Chen Wei, deputy director of Hefei Administration of Science and Technology.