THE city government has launched a program offering a subsidy of up to 10 million yuan (US$1.47 million) to universities and colleges that begin to offer certain subjects that promote the development of emerging industries in Shenzhen.

The program is aimed at supporting the development of local universities and colleges that have opened certain subjects related to emerging and future industries, such as the Internet, new material, IT, life and health, oceanic, robotics, wearable devices and intelligent equipment manufacturing industries.

Applicants must be higher education institutions or scientific research institutes that are licensed and legally established in Shenzhen. Each eligible applicant will be offered a subsidy of up to 10 million yuan, which should be used for purchasing teaching and technical facilities and covering scientific research and management costs.

The spokesperson for the city’s development and reform commission said the subjects opened by the applicants should meet the national advanced level and have good development potential. The applicants should also sign talent training agreements with relevant enterprises in Shenzhen.

The applicants can submit their documents by Friday, after which the commission will verify the applications and a third-party evaluation organization will invite experts to review the documents and conduct on-site research, according to the spokesperson.

(Zhang Yang)