The groundbreaking ceremony in China for the Guandong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Photo: Technion.

JNS.org – The Haifa-based Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and China’s Shantou University broke ground on the first Israeli university in China.

On Wednesday, the first cornerstone of the Guandong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) was laid at a ceremony in Shantou.

“The combination of the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Israel and the unbelievable scale and resources of China will result in a great partnership. Together we will create a major research institute that will help not only China and Israel, but also mankind in general,” said Technion President Peretz Lavie.

China’s Li Ka Shing Foundation is providing $130 million in funding for the university project. Enrollment will commence in 2016 with an initial class of 200 students, and the student body is expected to reach 5,000 students by 2025.

Former Israeli president Shimon Peres led the groundbreaking ceremony alongside GTIIT vice chancellor, Technion professor and Nobel Laureate Aaron Ciechanover; Israeli Minister of Science, Technology and Space Ofir Akunis; Hong Kong business leader and philanthropist Li Ka-shing; and GTIIT Chancellor Li Jiange.