On the morning of July 10, the first China-Africa-World Bank Education Partnership Forum was opened at the UCAS International Conference Center. After the opening ceremony, Academician, Vice President of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Professor Wu Yueliang delivered a keynote speech——Integrating Research and Education & Putting Research Output into Practice ——Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Chinese Academy of Sciences.
He mainly introduced the innovation and entrepreneurship at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). As the largest comprehensive Natural Sciences and high-tech R&D center in china, CAS plays a leading role in science and innovation. Then he made a specific explanation about how CAS fuels innovation and entrepreneurship.
Firstly, sound top design was made to gather all CAS efforts to boost S&T knowledge transfers and hi-tech industrialization. CAS Innovation 2020, which started in 2010, seeks to contribute to the development of emerging industries. CAS also pledged to enhance interdisciplinary and cross-sector research. The academy’s evaluation system has shifted toward assessing research based on its innovativeness and potential to benefit society. The S&T Knowledge Transfers and Commercialization Fund and the Center for Intellectual Property Management were established at CAS.
Secondly, series of policies on incentive mechanism released. In 2016, CAS worked together with the Ministry of Science and Technology to publish the Guidelines for Accelerating and Promoting S&T Achievements in the New Era. Subsequently, the Tentative Management Rules on Business Start-ups by Off-post Scientific and Technological personnel and Administrative Rules on Part-time Jobs of Leaders and Encouragement for Transfer of S&T Achievements were enacted.
Thirdly, highlighting successful implementation of remarkable S&T achievements to produce positive social influence. The Ecological Animal Husbandry Experimental Project and the driving system of linear motors which was installed in the track vehicles running at the Beijing Capital Airport are the good examples.
Fourthly, setting up service platform for enterprises of innovation. CAS has established 39 technology transfer or incubation centers and over 250 joint research entities. It set up Lenovo Training College and jointly set up the Mass Start-up Space with local governments. The Association of S&T Innovation and Entrepreneurship was established by CAS in 2016.
Fifthly, collaborating with local governments. CAS set up research and development programs in cooperation with 30 provincial-level authorities. It has established science parks in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and signed agreements with 25 provinces.
Then，Wu illustrated the features of education in UCAS. UCAS, enjoying cutting-edge research and advanced human resources provided by CAS, has many advantages and its uniqueness. It boasts an integration of scientific research and teaching. Graduates in UCAS are required to take basic courses at the university’s campus and do research training and dissertation at their training institutes. Undergraduates are also provided with tutors and practice space. Research in UCAS, which is supported by large-sized facilities and stable resource input, is targeted, mission driven, national needs oriented and is conducted not only for paper publishing but also for tangible products manufacturing. In terms of international cooperation, UCAS, based on CAS’ extensive international scientific cooperation, has established close ties and partnerships with nearly 100 world-class institutions of higher learnings, one of which is the Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research (SDC), which is dedicating its efforts to creating a Chinese-Danish research environment to ultimately help promote the competitiveness of trade and industry. Besides, UCAS also puts much emphasis on students’ spirit of innovation, which is all the more facilitated by the establishment of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in April, 2017. The school is established with aims to nurture proactive thinkers, persistent doers and passionate innovators to make contribution to the building of an entrepreneurial community.
At the end of the speech, Vice-president Wu expressed his sincere wish for the success of the China-Africa-World Bank Education Partnership Forum and for the future development of both Chinese and African universities.
