In a bid to enhance its influence and deepen its engagement in Weihai, a coastal city in East China's Shandong province, Shandong University based in Jinan, the provincial capital, has been optimizing its innovative resource allocation, ushering in a new era of cooperation and co-construction with the city.

This strategic move has seen the establishment of the Shandong University Weihai Institute of Industrial Technology, a novel collaborative research and development institution initiated by Shandong University and the Weihai municipal government in January 2020.

The institute has set up 12 engineering and technology research centers, focusing on specialized fibers and composite materials, electromechanical equipment and intelligent control, as well as marine and microbial studies. It has jointly established 18 innovation platforms with local enterprises.

Furthermore, the Shandong University Weihai Development Research Institute, a newly established think tank jointly constructed by the university and local authorities, operates under an innovative management system. Leveraging the university's comprehensive disciplinary strengths, the institute focuses on research and consultation in national and international policy, socio-economic development strategies, and enterprise management. Its mission is to cultivate a high-end think tank with Shandong University's advantages and Weihai's unique characteristics, serving as a valuable resource for the government's decision-making and enterprise development.

Education and healthcare have also been pivotal in elevating the well-being of Weihai residents. Shandong University has used its expertise in basic education and medical disciplines to aid in Weihai's development, driving the advancement of social services such as basic education and healthcare in the city.