HKUST(GZ) Successfully Hosts the China-Europe Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum in Frankfurt
On October 5, 2024, the China-Europe Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum, co-hosted by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) and the Global Development Promotion Center of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, was successfully held in Frankfurt, Germany. The forum, themed "Sharing Experiences, Fostering the Future," brought together entrepreneurs, scholars, industry leaders, and experts from China and multiple European countries, aiming to promote deep cooperation between China and Europe in higher education and the field of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Mr. Yiyang Huang, the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Frankfurt am Main, and Professor Lionel M. Ni, the President and Chair Professor of HKUST(GZ), led a delegation visiting Europe and participated in the forum, along with members of the "Global Development Youth Leader House" (YLGD) delegation. The forum received strong support from the Chinese Consulate General in Frankfurt and the China-Europe Innovation and Entrepreneurship Association. Professor Bai Yu, Deputy Director of Entrepreneurship Center of Office of Knowledge Transfer of HKUST(GZ), presided over the forum.
In his opening remarks, Professor Lionel M. Ni, President of HKUST(GZ), stated, "We are here today to build friendships and learn from each other." He emphasized that innovation and entrepreneurship are key forces driving global progress, especially in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. He highlighted that HKUST(GZ) breaks down disciplinary barriers through its unique academic structure, the "Hub + Thrust," fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to promote knowledge transfer and technological innovation.
President Ni mentioned that since the beginning of the year, he has visited Europe twice to promote collaboration between European universities and related institutions with HKUST(GZ) and the Greater Bay Area, facilitating the two-way flow of knowledge and talent, fostering youth exchanges and cultural dialogue, expanding innovation and entrepreneurship cooperation, and contributing to the healthy development of Chinese-European cultural exchanges.
Mr. Yiyang Huang, the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Frankfurt am Main, in his speech, emphasized the importance of China-Europe cooperation in higher education and technological innovation. He noted that cooperation between China and Europe has been ongoing for many years, particularly in the fields of technological innovation and education, where there is great potential for collaboration. This forum provided an important platform to further promote exchanges between China and Europe in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Professor Christian Landau, Vice President Degree Programs of Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, in his welcome address, mentioned that collaboration between China-Europe higher education institutions and enterprises is key to driving global innovation. Through this forum, the Frankfurt School looks forward to exploring new models with HKUST(GZ) and other partners, promoting the cultivation of entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, sharing development experiences, and emphasizing the importance of "learning by doing" and "learning by feeling" for students.
Mr. Hao Wu, Acting Director of Global Development Promotion Center of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), stated in his speech that the forum, co-hosted with HKUST(GZ), aims to provide a communication platform for Chinese and European youth, promoting open cooperation through youth initiatives and benefiting global development with innovative outcomes. He introduced the "Global Development Youth Leader House" (YLGD) established by the center and expressed hope to regularly host China-foreign youth exchange dialogue activities in collaboration with HKUST(GZ) and other parties. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Lionel Ming-Shuan Ni, acknowledging his professional guidance and strong support for the first visit of the YLGD delegation to Frankfurt as a member of the YLGD Advisory Committee.
Keynote Speeches and Discussions
In the keynote speeches of the forum, Professor Hui Xiong, Associate Vice-President (Knowledge Transfer) and Chair Professor of HKUST(GZ), introduced the university's innovative model in promoting knowledge transfer and entrepreneurial spirit. He shared that HKUST(GZ) not only advances scientific research through academic innovation but also collaborates closely with enterprises to cultivate globally competitive innovative talents. Professor Xiong emphasized that interdisciplinary collaboration and exchanges with international partners are key to the university's success. By integrating knowledge transfer with practical education, students can learn through experience ("learning by doing"), a model that not only stimulates students' innovative thinking but also provides opportunities to find practical application scenarios and collaborate with the business community to transform research outcomes.
Additionally, Professor Xiong introduced the school's collaboration with the government to build the HKUST(GZ) Innovation Zone, opening a new chapter for the regional innovation ecosystem. The multi-layered innovation ecosystem ball centered around HKUST(GZ), characterized by coordinated development of "school-incubated enterprises-partner enterprises-investment institutions," has begun to take shape.
Another keynote speaker, Professor Alon Rozen, Dean & Professor of Innovation & Management of Ecole des Ponts Business School, shared successful cases of China-French technological innovation cooperation. He pointed out that multinational cooperation is an effective way to address global challenges, despite cultural differences that may arise, which also create opportunities. Promoting technological cooperation between China and Europe can facilitate more innovation achievements in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, aerospace technology, and green technology.
The roundtable discussion was moderated by Professor Frank Bostyn from the University of Antwerp's Management Department. Participants included Researcher Adela García Aracil from the Spanish National Research Council, Angela Kurz, Director of International Affairs of Zeppelin University, Zhiwei Song, President of the China-Europe Innovation and Entrepreneurship Association, Professor Weijia Wen, Dean of the Function Hub of HKUST(GZ), Tom Arnott, Regional Director of Times Higher Education, and Ms. Ruiqi Xu, Head of BGI's Europe and Africa Division.
The panelists engaged in a discussion on "Entrepreneurial Cooperation in China-Europe Higher Education," sharing their experiences in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship, exploring the cultivation of innovative and entrepreneurial talents, and discussing how higher education institutions can closely integrate with industries to create an environment that encourages experimentation, learning, and change, thus promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal progress.
Topics included how to combine education and creativity to discover business opportunities from scratch, and how to establish effective communication and mutual trust in multicultural cooperation and information sharing. These discussions not only demonstrated the consensus and willingness for cooperation between China and Europe in higher education and entrepreneurship but also provided a clearer and more orderly direction for future collaboration.
The forum was also attended by Director Lin Changqing and Ms. Bei Jiang from the Education and Culture Office of the Chinese Consulate General in Frankfurt; Professor Jiang Xu, Head of the Thrust of Microelectronics of HKUST(GZ), Professor Shuncheng Lee, Acting Head of the Thrust of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Dr. Yu Huang, Head of the Integrative Administration Department, and Mr. Jing Fu, Head of the Global Affairs Department.
As the sole student representative of the "Global Development Youth Leader House" (YLGD) delegation, Chia-wen Tsai, a MPhil student in Computational Media and Arts Thrust of HKUST(GZ), also participated in the forum, showcasing the vitality and potential of HKUST(GZ) students in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship and representing the increasing involvement of the younger generation in technology, innovation, and international cooperation.
Networking Dinner and Future Outlook
After the successful conclusion of the event, attendees gathered for a networking dinner, providing further opportunities for exchange between Chinese and European guests and fostering more potential collaborations. Through this forum, HKUST(GZ) demonstrated its important role as a bridge for Chinese-European innovation cooperation, promoting substantive cooperation in technology, education, and entrepreneurship between China and Europe.
