As an important base for science and education in China, Hefei is listed in the first group of Technological Innovation Pilot City in China, and is also a member city of the World Technopolis Association (WTA). It boasts over 200 research institutes at national or provincial level, including the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and another 358 institutes for technological research and development. Hefei is home to 62 higher education institutions, including the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), offering 138 doctoral programs. It is also the home of 62 academicians and nearly 300,000 technicians and professionals. The Hefei high-tech zone now has 460 high-tech companies, almost half of all high-tech companies in Hefei. 

Hefei is abundant in human resources. There are more than 220,000 skilled technical workers, including 3,648 technicians with medium or high professional titles. College students number 295,800, including 25,600 postgraduates studying for master’s or doctor’s degrees in universities or research institutes, including the Hefei Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). It ranks foremost among cities at the same level in China in terms of the percentage of professionals and college students in its population. 

Institute of Advanced Technology of USTC 

Co-founded by the Anhui provincial government, the Hefei municipal government, CAS and USTC in July 2012, the Institute of Advanced Technology of USTC accommodates more than 1,800 engineering masters, and has already built 23 united labs and R&D centers with famous companies such as Intel, Microsoft and Alibaba. The institute has set up more than 100 advanced technology projects, established two venture capital (VC) funds and incubated 34 high-tech enterprises. 

Hefei Ion Medical Center 

The Hefei Ion Medical Center was founded with the support of the Anhui provincial government, the Hefei municipal government and the CAS Hefei Institutes of Physical Science. It cooperates with its foreign counterparts to establish joint research centers, localizing the R&D and production of superconducting devices for proton and heavy ion therapy. With imported Varian Medical Systems and other advanced medical devices, the proton therapy center has reached a world advanced level. The center covers an area of 8.2 hectares and has total investment of 35 billion yuan. It will be completely operational in 2019.

Hefei Technology Innovation Academy of Engineering, CAS 

The academy was established by the Hefei municipal government and the CAS Hefei Institutes of Physical Science. It covers an area of 0.28 sq km. It plans to build an energy saving and eco-friendly center, as well as high-end technology centers of medical equipment and EPC.