As four universities jointly celebrate their 130th founding anniversaries this year, President Xi Jinping has urged them to better serve the country's strategic needs and make fresh contributions to building China into a leading country in education, science and technology, and talent development.

Xi made the remarks in a reply letter on Tuesday sent to faculty members and students of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Southwest Jiaotong University and Beijing Jiaotong University.

In the letter, Xi noted that these four universities are connected by their shared roots and extended congratulations to all the faculty members, students and alumni of the four universities.

Xi emphasized the importance of strengthening independent sci-tech innovation and talent cultivation, calling for efforts to achieve more breakthroughs in promoting closer collaboration among industries, universities and research institutions.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Xi'an Jiaotong University trace their origins to Nanyang Public School, which was established in 1896.

Southwest Jiaotong University was founded as the Imperial Chinese Railway College in 1896 and Beijing Jiaotong University originated as the Railway Management Institute in 1909.

Together, the four universities share a common heritage rooted in the beginnings of modern higher engineering education in China.

Recently, faculty members and students of the four universities wrote to Xi, briefing him on the schools' 130-year history and achievements in education, and expressing their determination to contribute to building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation.

mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn