A group of 251 Ph.D. scholars from seven universities and four research institutes have recently formed an association in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, to consider ways of turning their scientific and technological achievements into industrial products.

Local officials said the association will hold gatherings at regular intervals to familiarize themselves with the latest advances in many fields in order to broaden their scope and intensify their mutual academic contacts and exchanges. (Xinhua)