HOUSTON - Chongqing Normal University of China and the China-US Center at the United States' Rice University have agreed to strengthen their academic cooperation over the next five years.

The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding here Monday to establish an alliance covering research, teaching and training educational personnel.

The memorandum was signed by Chongqing Normal University president Zhou Zeyang, Office of Sponsored Research director Melinda Cotten and China-US Center director Mason B. Tomson.

"We have signed an agreement today to perform training sessions for advanced educational personnel and high school principals. I believe we enjoy great potential for further cooperation on an expansive array of areas," Zhou said.

Mason said this was a really valuable extension of the work of the China-US Center, which had been in operation for about eight years.

Philip Bedient, professor of environmental engineering at Rice University, said it was a great opportunity for Rice University to interact again with its Chinese partner.

"We are very excited about the training programs that will be forthcoming and the interactions that will take place, both with the high school principals as well as other opportunities to interact with China," Bedient said.

"Rice has a long-standing relationship over the years with the China Center. We look forward to a long and productive relationship," he said.