SHANGHAI, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The visiting Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi on Saturday attended the inauguration of a China-Italy institute in Shanghai.

The institute, co-established by China's prestigious Tongji University, the Polytechnic University of Milan and the Polytechnic University of Turin, is aimed to foster talents in engineering and information technology.

Prodi was granted the title of honorary professor by Tongji University. He spoke highly of bilateral cooperation on university education.

Such cooperation is of special and significant meaning to further tying up the relations between Italy and China because it helps to cultivate professionals with high qualities and deep understanding of the culture and national conditions of the two countries, said Prodi.

The Italian prime minister also briefed the students of Tongji University on building political multi-polarization and pooling multinational efforts in responding to global challenges.

Prodi said Italy and China share the same or similar views witheach other on a number of international issues, specially emphasizing that multilateral exchanges and collaboration are the only effective approach to solving global challenges.

A first batch of more than 80 students have been recruited by the China-Italy Institute. They will study at Tongji University for three years and at a cooperative school in Italy for one year. Both Chinese and Italian bachelor's degrees are to be offered upon their graduation. Enditem