Ningbo Talent International Development Research Base is established relying on the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). The Base was designated a Ningbo Social Science Research Base in 2021. In 2023, it obtained approval from the Ningbo Federation of Social Sciences to upgrade to a Key Research Base. It joined the Think Tank Alliance for Building a Strong Province in Education, Science, Technology and Talent of Zhejiang Province in 2024. It was rated Excellent in both the fifth and sixth assessment and evaluation rounds for social science research bases. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Base closely aligns with Ningbo’s development needs: advancing high-standard opening-up, constructing a modern coastal metropolis and accelerating the gathering of international talent. It carries out continuous research on key fields relating to international talent development, boasting clearly defined research priorities and a sound developmental foundation.
Base Information
Base Name: Ningbo Talent International Development Research Base
Base Type: Key Research Base
Affiliation: University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Secretary-general of the Base
Base Positioning
Adhering to the mission of Global Vision and Chinese Insights, the Base collaborates with governments, industry practitioners and academia to conduct research covering international talent management, corporate globalisation, international talent development and cross-cultural communication. It provides intellectual support for Ningbo’s endeavour to accelerate the construction of a modern coastal metropolis.
Policy Suggestions and Industry Services
Since 2021, Dr Xuan Feng, Executive Director of the Ningbo Talent International Development Research Base, has led four municipal-level policy research projects, producing three policy briefs and two research reports in total.
Among these outputs, the policy brief on the attraction, cultivation, retention and utilisation of international talent received positive instructions from provincial and ministerial-level leaders. It also won the 9th Yinzhou District Philosophy and Social Sciences Outstanding Achievement Award. Two outputs have been adopted by the municipal government for decision-making, and one research report has been included in the Ningbo Talent Blue Book.
Professors Hongbo Dong and Yanjun Guan completed the commissioned project Research on Talent Support Against the Backdrop of Achieving Self-reliance and Strength in Science and Technology entrusted by Ningbo Academy of Social Sciences, which was well received upon completion. They published an academic paper in Forum on Science and Technology in China, a comprehensive journal on science and technology policy supervised by the Ministry of Science and Technology and a CSSCI source journal.
The UNNC team led by Professor Yanjun Guan, Chief Expert of the Base, jointly released the report Research on the Integration of Internationalised Human Resource Services and Manufacturing Industry: Ningbo Model and Global Pathways with Beilun District Human Resources and Social Security Bureau of Ningbo. The report obtained instructions from municipal leaders and received positive feedback from the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. Professor Yanjun Guan has been invited to Beijing for follow-up exchanges and collaborative research in due course.