Shi Yigong (left), president of Westlake University, joins Nobel laureate Yang Zhenning (second from left) and Zhejiang governor Yuan Jiajun (second from right) at the founding ceremony of Westlake University in Hangzhou on Oct 20. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The launch of the Westlake University, China's first new type research university aimed at cultivating high-level talents in advanced technology to push the country to the forefront of scientific research, is of great significance to the systematic reform and innovation of the nation's higher education sector, said China's top education authority.

In a letter congratulating the founding of Westlake University on October 20 in Hangzhou, the Ministry of Education said it hopes the new university will focus on basic advanced scientific research, and build itself into a top-notch higher educational institution with Chinese characters.

The event brought together more than 50 presidents of prestigious universities from home and abroad, as well as Nobel laureates such as Yang Zhenning, James Watson, Jean-Marie Lehn, Brian Kobilka and Fraser Stoddart.

Shi Yigong, president of Westlake University, said at the founding ceremony that the university will aspire to become a pioneering explorer of China's higher education reform, and a cradle for fostering innovative talents in advanced science and technologies globally.

"We want to build the university into a truly international higher education institution," he said.