Intl. innovation cooperation exchange event held in Guangming

Members of Minsk State Linguistic University pose for a picture during the event. Photos by Windy Shao

Guangming District Government organized an international innovation cooperation exchange event at the Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology on Nov. 13.

The event aimed to leverage the cutting-edge scientific facilities, higher education institutions, research organizations, and leading enterprises within the district. Its primary objectives included attracting top-tier talent, fostering enhanced integration of innovation mechanisms, industrial networks, financial channels, and human resources both locally and globally. The initiative sought to draw premium international resources to Guangming, amplify the international influence of Guangming Science City, and solidify its global brand image.

Participants included esteemed higher education institutions such as Minsk State Linguistic University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Sun Yat-sen University Shenzhen Campus, and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University.

Leading associations and organizations taking part in the event included the Guangming office of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), the Guangming office of UK ACADEME, Singapore-based Business China, The Shenzhen Central and Eastern European Countries Economy and Culture Promotion Association (Shenzhen CEEEC), Guangming District High-level Talent Association, Guangming District Overseas Students Association, and Guangming District Youth Entrepreneurship Association.

Local enterprises also participated in the event, showcasing their latest innovations and products.

Two Guangming offices, ICLEI and UK ACADEME, are unveiled during the event.  

The event featured the inauguration of two offices: the Guangming offices of ICLEI and UK ACADEME, symbolizing a significant step towards fostering collaborative initiatives within the region.

ICLEI is a global network working with more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in more than 125 countries, the organization aims to influence sustainability policy and drive local action for zero emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient, and circular development.

The UK ACADEME Group established its Guangming office to strengthen communication and connections with the U.K. in technology, education, culture, and other areas and to introduce resources from U.K. universities and research institutions for innovative cooperation exchange activities at universities in Guangming.

Snow Hitchmough, CEO of the UK ACADEME Group, presented a congratulatory message from Tomas Lindahl, the 2015 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, for the event during an online session.

A congratulatory message from Tomas Lindahl, winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, is shown during an online session.

Discussions held during the event revolved around themes such as the establishment of research-oriented universities, youth exchanges, student internships for enhanced employability, joint college setups, and talent exchanges.

Deliberations included exploring novel forms of international educational partnerships, proposals for joint college or research institute frameworks between domestic and foreign universities, mechanisms for sharing educational resources through student exchanges, and course credit recognition, aiming to provide pathways for mutually beneficial partnerships between domestic and international universities. They also emphasized fostering direct collaborations between enterprises and universities by offering specialized internships and training opportunities, facilitating student employment opportunities, and addressing the recruitment of scarce talents.