Inner Mongolia Normal University has announced a new Cultural Heritage Research Institute, in the city of Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, on March 26, with Yun Guohong, the school president, explaining at the opening ceremony that the institute is a scientific research and innovation site with cooperation from the Chinese Social Sciences Academy's Ethnic and Folk Literature Institute and the Ministry of Culture's ethnic folk literature and art development center.

Opening ceremony for the Cultural Heritage Research Institute, at Inner Mongolia Normal University, in Hohhot, on March 26.

It is expected to set up a research team with experts and scholars from China and abroad to develop forward-looking research projects for protecting cultural heritage through study combined with science and technology, and for decision-making, consultation, and intellectual support, and to set up a related think-tank for the region and the rest of the country.

Chao GeJin, head of the CASS institute and a professor with the China Folklore Society, was named president of the new research institute and told the gathering that it will cooperate with Chinese and foreign experts and scholars on a research team to create a think tank for the protection of cultural heritage and, this year, will train people in cultural heritage protection in Inner Mongolia, in cooperation with the American Folk Society.

Li Song, head of the Culture Ministry's ethnic folk literature center, was named vice-president the new research institute and told the gathering that his center has cooperated with Inner Mongolia Normal University for three years in academic areas such as traditional Mongolian festivals and folk culture digitization and that the new institute will foster "cultural housekeeping" and Chinese civilization, and pass on traditional culture.

Chao Gejin (R) and Yun Guohong (L) inaugurating folk cultural studies program, at Inner Mongolia Normal University.