University Alliance for Rural Development, initiated by Tsinghua University, has brought together 148 universities to advance local industry, environmental improvements, cultural development and talent introduction in 2,166 villages nationwide, scholars said at the annual conference of the university's Rural Revitalization Center recently held.

Zhang Yue, director of the expert committee of the alliance and Party secretary at Tsinghua's School of Architecture, said the initiative has created new platforms and mechanisms for universities to contribute talent and expertise to rural development. "This effort has paved the way to strengthen intellectual and human resources for rural vitalization," Zhang said.

Since its establishment in 2017, the Rural Revitalization Center has engaged more than 200 universities and 11,700 teachers and students across over 100 disciplines.

Through collaborations with local governments, the initiative has renovated 45,000 square meters of unoccupied rural housing, attracted investments of more than 400 million yuan ($56 million), and benefited over 300,000 villagers.

Alliance universities have provided on-site expert guidance to resolve over 2,000 problems related to village planning, infrastructure and environmental restoration.

To date, the alliance has partnered with 172 county-level regions, serving 2,166 villages, Zhang said.

Wang Guangqian, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the alliance effectively integrates the needs of rural communities with the strengths of higher education institutions, offering systematic and high-quality support for China's rural vitalization strategy.

The initiative has delivered practical results. For instance, students from Tsinghua University in Beijing, Central South University in Hunan province and Xiamen University in Fujian province participated in rural development efforts in Huaihua, Hunan — home to the highest number of traditional villages in the region — during their winter and summer breaks.

After assessing unoccupied houses in the area, the students incorporated elements of Huayao culture, a traditional craft of Yao ethnic women in Hunan, to improve living conditions and convert vacant homes into rural homestays.

They also designed cultural tourism maps, postcards and agricultural product packaging logos, boosting the region's brand image.

Despite such progress, challenges remain, said Nie Xinpeng, deputy director of the rural construction promotion department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

"Rural construction still faces shortcomings, and greater participation from social forces, including universities, is urgently needed," Nie said.

Nie encouraged the Rural Revitalization Center to enhance strategic research on rural construction, establish high-quality practical bases, and nurture talent to further advance rural vitalization.

Fang Biling contributed to this story.