Lanzhou continues building talent pool

In recent years Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province, has fully utilized its unique resources, developed new talent recruitment models and broadened the channels for attracting talent, which not only stems the outflow of talent but also promotes the construction of its talent pool.

Several measures have been taken to attract and sustain talent, according to the Lanzhou Talent Office. Flexible measures have been carried out to attract high-end talent. In the past four years, Lanzhou has introduced 375 well-known domestic experts and academic leaders, including 29 academicians and 30 experts from the "Thousand Talents Program".

Projects are also effective to pool innovative talent. Lanzhou has organized the talent support program on innovation and entrepreneurship since 2014. Up to now, it has invested a total of 190 million yuan to gather innovative teams to advance the development of key areas and emerging industries.

Lanzhou has explored new mechanisms for institutional cooperation. Several plans have taken effect to boost cooperation with different areas and research institutes. Technology transfer centers have been established with Shanghai Zhangjiang, the National Center for Technology Transfer, Peking University, the University of Science and Technology of China, University of Lausanne of Switzerland and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. It has also established cooperative ties with more than 40 universities.

To the end of 2018, the city had 405,900 in its talent pool, accounting for 10.95 percent of the total population — 2.57 percentage points higher than the provincial level, according to statistics from the municipal departments. The number increased 39.49 percent compared with the same period three years ago, and 45.38 percent compared with the end of 2012. Those with bachelor's degrees or above account for nearly half the total, and those under the age of 45 make 64.41 percent.

On July 5, the Lanzhou City Talent Office held the awarding ceremony for overseas talent stations, also the Matchmaking Meeting of the Gansu Chamber of Commerce to attract investment and invite talent.

National Guidance on Promoting the New Pattern of Western Development in the New Era has approved a series of policies, such as the development plans of urban agglomeration in West Lanzhou and the Lanbai National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone, said Municipal Talent Work Group chairman Wang Xu said during the meeting of the Lanzhou Municipal Committee. Restrictions on urban residency have been lifted in cities whose population is less than 5 million, providing more opportunities for talent to start their own businesses in Lanzhou. Preferential policies such as research funding, platform operating subsidies, living subsidies and relevant services are also available.