Actuate Corp is among the first US enterprise software vendors to forge close ties with Chinese academia.

The South San Francisco-based business intelligence (BI) software maker is collaborating with Tsinghua University to drive research into BI software. Actuate announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University's Research Institute of IT (RIIT) wing. In a statement issued this week, Actuate said it hoped the agreement will "facilitate knowledge transfer and innovation in BI and enterprise reporting."

Both organizations will devise a joint curriculum for BI software design, with Actuate providing the necessary infrastructure in terms of software licenses, training and consulting services. As a tempter, Actuate will also offer top students internships at its US headquarters.