Shandong University and Cambridge Enterprise renew a cooperation agreement to strengthen the university’s innovation ecosystem.
In May, Ren Youqun, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shandong University, led a delegation to visit the University of Cambridge, and its innovation arm Cambridge Enterprise.
He held discussions with Diarmuid O’Brien, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation and board member of Cambridge Enterprise and jointly witnessed the renewal of the cooperation agreement between Shandong University and Cambridge Enterprise.
Partnering up for innovation
Cambridge Enterprise is one of Shandong University’s most important partners as they collaborated to establish the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Having initially started working together in 2017, Cambridge Enterprise and Shandong University signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023 to extend the initial collaboration.
This signing ceremony marks the next phase of the close working relationship between the two entities to carry out pioneering and cooperation in the field of innovation transformation. By introducing the University of Cambridge advanced concepts and experience in building innovation ecosystems, strong support has been provided for the development of relevant disciplines at Shandong University.
At the signing ceremony, Ren Youqun, said that:
“Shandong University and Cambridge Enterprise had established a good cooperation platform in the previous phase and achieved fruitful results.”
He expressed hope that both sides would implement the new agreement based on innovation management and the translation of scientific research achievements, closely link university science parks with university innovation ecosystems, expand the scope and frequency of exchanges, further diversify joint training channels for top talents, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor O’Brien highly praised the achievements of the cooperation between Shandong University and Cambridge Enterprise. He reaffirmed the University of Cambridge’s support for the collaboration and affirmed that Cambridge Enterprise would continue to fully support Shandong University in building its entrepreneurial and innovation activities and regional innovation ecosystem.
Han Shenghao, Dean of the School of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Shandong University, and Caroline Hyde, Head of Ecosystem Initiatives and Partnerships at Cambridge Enterprise, signed the cooperation agreement on behalf of both parties. According to the agreement, the two sides will support the building of an innovation ecosystem for Shandong, focusing on collaborative activities around innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. The agreement also includes Cambridge Enterprise working with colleagues across the University of Cambridge to provide training programmes for Shandong University core teaching and research management personnel, as well as enhancing Shandong students’ global competencies.
Exploring new opportunities
During the visit, the delegation held in-depth discussions with leaders from the Centre for Advanced Photonics, Cambridge Enterprise, the Needham Research Institute, and the Strategic Partnerships Office of the University of Cambridge. Topics included the history of science and technology, optimisation of the innovation and entrepreneurship environment, sustainable campus development such as of a zero-carbon campus, cultivation of top talents, and expansion of faculty development programmes.
The delegation also visited the Cambridge Science Park, the Ray Dolby Centre (Cavendish Laboratory III) and the Cambridge Graphene Centre. They exchanged views on Cambridge’s advanced practices in promoting the transformation of scientific and technological achievements through research commercialisation and spinouts, empowering the development of world-class universities.
Key leaders from the Human Resources Department, Undergraduate School, International Affairs Department, and the School of Innovation & Entrepreneurship participated at the event.
Image credits: Matthew Power Photography
