The University of Groningen in the Netherlands has joined hands with China Agricultural University (Yantai) in Shandong province to set up a new campus. The new campus will be named "Yantai Groningen University" and will be the first Sino-foreign cooperative university in northern China.

The University of Groningen provides high quality education and research and ranks among the best universities in Europe. Many of its predominant disciplines, such as energy, healthy ageing and sustainable society, are in accord with Yantai's industrial development.

On March 25, the signing ceremony for Yantai Groningen University was held in Shanghai. Based on the agreement, the university will operate as an independent legal entity and has the right to grant academic degrees. It will be sponsored by the University of Groningen, China Agricultural University (Yantai) and the Yantai government.

A delegation of China Agriculture University visited the University of Groningen from April 5 to 9, during which the two sides discussed details concerning the cooperation and the management of the university.

In 2016, the Yantai Groningen University is expected to enroll students, including 400 undergraduates and 200 postgraduates. The majors for undergraduates will focus on chemistry, industrial engineering, life science and technology, economics and business economics, while the majors for postgraduates include chemistry, and international economics and business. The University of Groningen will send 37 teachers to the new campus during the initial stage.