In a significant step toward regional educational integration, universities from Beijing and Tianjin have launched 164 joint cooperation projects with Hebei province's backbone universities. This initiative, announced on February 20, 2026, underscores the deepening Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Higher Education Cooperation under the national Jing-Jin-Ji synergistic development strategy. Through innovative '1+N' models, these partnerships are channeling top-tier resources from the capital region into Hebei, benefiting thousands of students and fostering innovation across disciplines.

The collaborations span joint degree programs, faculty exchanges, research initiatives, and talent cultivation, aligning with China's push to relieve Beijing's non-capital functions while elevating Hebei's higher education landscape. As part of broader efforts, this includes accelerated construction of relocated university campuses in Xiong'an New Area and expanded vocational training opportunities.

Background of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Synergistic Development Strategy

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Higher Education Cooperation is rooted in the 2014 national strategy for coordinated regional development, known as Jing-Jin-Ji integration. This policy aims to optimize resource allocation by decongesting Beijing, boosting Tianjin's advanced manufacturing hub status, and accelerating Hebei's modernization. Higher education plays a pivotal role, with universities relocating functions to Xiong'an New Area—established in 2017 as a 'city of the future'.

Over the past decade, progress has been substantial. Hebei's gross enrollment ratio (GER) in higher education has risen from around 40% in 2015 to over 60% by 2025, partly due to influxes of quality resources. Joint projects like these 164 initiatives build on prior successes, such as over 5,000 'weekend expert' sessions where Beijing-Tianjin scholars lecture in Hebei, enhancing local teaching and research.

Decoding the '1+N' Cooperation Model

The '1+N' model is the cornerstone of these 164 joint projects. Here, '1' represents one Hebei provincial backbone university pairing with 'N' prestigious institutions from Beijing and Tianjin. This flexible framework allows tailored partnerships in areas like curriculum co-development, shared labs, and student exchanges.

For instance, Hebei universities leverage Beijing-Tianjin expertise in engineering, medicine, and AI, while offering platforms for applied research suited to regional industries like advanced manufacturing and green tech. The model ensures efficiency: projects are selected based on complementary strengths, with ongoing monitoring for impact. By late 2025, these efforts had already facilitated hundreds of faculty visits and dozens of co-authored papers.

• Joint master's and PhD programs with dual supervision
• Shared research platforms tackling regional challenges like carbon neutrality
• Student mobility schemes for internships and exchanges
• Faculty training workshops to upskill Hebei educators

Hebei's Provincial Backbone Universities: Key Participants

Hebei boasts 13 designated provincial backbone universities driving these collaborations. These institutions, supported by provincial funding, form the '1' in '1+N' pairings and cover diverse fields from engineering to agriculture.

These universities have actively docked with 'double first-class' Beijing-Tianjin peers like Tsinghua and Peking University, yielding tangible outcomes in talent pipelines for regional industries.

University Relocations to Xiong'an New Area

A flagship element is the relocation of Beijing universities to Xiong'an. The first batch of four—Beijing Jiaotong University, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing University of Technology, and Beijing Forestry University—have accelerated campus construction, with over 2.56 million square meters under way and 65 buildings topped out by early 2026.

The second batch of five—Beijing Institute of Technology, Beihang University, North China Electric Power University, Beijing Language and Culture University, and Communication University of China—have confirmed sites in Xiong'an's startup district. These campuses will add thousands of seats, fostering interdisciplinary hubs.

This supports Xiong'an's high-quality education system, now boasting 60 new K-12 schools and kindergartens with 55,000 additional seats.

Vocational Education Expansion and Cross-Province Enrollment

Nine Beijing-Tianjin vocational colleges annually allocate over 3,000 cross-province single-enrollment spots in Hebei. This bridges skill gaps in high-demand sectors like rail transport, renewable energy, and digital manufacturing.

Participants include Tianjin Vocational Institute of Railway Technology and Beijing Polytechnic, offering '3+2' programs where students spend initial years in Hebei before advanced training in capitals. Enrollment has surged 20% yearly, producing graduates with 95% employment rates in regional firms.

High School Pairing and Broader Resource Sharing

Elite universities like Tsinghua pair with 10 Hebei county high schools, including Wen'an No.1 Middle School, providing teacher training, curriculum advice, and student scholarships. This 'targeted assistance' model has improved local Gaokao (college entrance exam) pass rates by 15-20%.

Complementing this, the 'Weekend Experts Hebei Tour' has hosted 5,641 sessions since inception, drawing scholars for lectures and consultations.

Langfang's Education Clusters: Da Beilang and Tongwu Lang

In Langfang, Hebei, 'Da Beilang' (Greater Northern Corridor) and 'Tongwu Lang' (Tongzhou-Wuqing-Langfang) alliances integrate schools across borders. These clusters promote shared governance, joint admissions, and infrastructure like modern labs.

Tongwu Lang, spanning Beijing's Tongzhou, Tianjin's Wuqing, and Langfang, exemplifies seamless commuting via high-speed rail, enabling daily cross-city classes.

Xiong'an Universities Collaborative Innovation Alliance

Launched in 2023 by the first-batch four universities, this alliance includes Hebei partners and enterprises. Achievements include 15 graduate workstations, innovation contests like 'Xiong'an Future City Elite Meet,' and symposia on urban tech.

Focus areas: engineering breakthroughs via Xiong'an Elite Engineers Innovation Institute, targeting key tech like smart cities and green energy.

Impacts: Benefiting Students, Faculty, and Economy

These initiatives democratize access: Hebei students now tap Beijing-Tianjin curricula without relocation costs. Faculty gain collaborative networks, boosting publications 30%. Economically, they align with Jing-Jin-Ji industries, supporting 1.5 million new jobs projected by 2030.

• Increased GER parity: Hebei nearing Beijing's 65%
• Enhanced innovation: 20% rise in patents from joint labs
• Talent retention: 85% graduates stay regionally

For job seekers, this opens doors in academia and industry.

Future Outlook: 15th Five-Year Plan and Beyond

Hebei plans a '15th FYP' (2026-2030) framework with Beijing-Tianjin education departments, targeting more projects, grad joint training, and high-level platforms. Priorities: AI, biotech, and sustainable urbanism.

Continued Xiong'an builds, expert tours, and vocational scaling promise a unified Jing-Jin-Ji higher ed ecosystem.

Photo by tommao wang on Unsplash

Career Opportunities in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Higher Education

This boom creates roles in faculty, research, and admin. Backbone universities seek experts in STEM; Xiong'an campuses hire for innovative programs. Platforms like AcademicJobs.com higher ed jobs list openings, from lecturers to postdocs.

Advice: Highlight regional synergy experience in applications. Check Rate My Professor for insights, and career advice for success.