World-class facilities, funding needed to recruit, cultivate the best talent

The integration of industries, education and research is essential for gathering the power of the youth and promoting innovation development, experts said on Sunday at the Beijing International Youth Innovation and Development Forum.

Fang Fang, vice-president of Peking University, said higher education institutes are the intersections where education, technology and talent converge.

Peking University has introduced a group of academic leaders and outstanding young scholars to build its faculty structure, Fang said in remarks at the forum.

Over the past five years, PKU has recruited over 600 teaching and research staff members from overseas, among which 90 percent were young talent under 40 years old, strengthening the university's talent pool, Fang said.

"The university has cooperation with nearly 400 universities and institutions in over 70 countries and regions worldwide. It maintains close collaborations with more than 80 globally renowned universities," Fang said.

Moreover, it has been cooperating with research institutes to cultivate talent and actively engage with major research institutions in Beijing's Changping and Zhongguancun for talent training and research personnel recruitment, he said.

To advance the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, the university, in partnership with the Beijing municipal government, has established seven new research and development institutions, including disciplines like artificial intelligence and neuroscience.

Olli Suominen, education and science counselor at the embassy of Finland in China, highlighted the importance of education equality for the innovation development of young people.

Although innovation capability can be seen as part of high-end development for highly educated geniuses, innovation is not a characteristic of only a few creative geniuses, Suominen said.

"Everyone can and should be creative and innovative both at work and in everyday life," he said.

The Finnish education system incorporated critical thinking and innovation skills into its mandatory curriculum and everyday teaching. "The emphasis in critical and innovative thinking is on cultivating the students' ability to work together," Suominen said.

Biljana Jelacic, executive vice-president of human resources at Mercedes-Benz Group China, said Chinese researchers have contributed to major projects of Mercedes-Benz.

With 2,000 experts, Mercedes-Benz's China R&D team has led projects such as the L2+ automated driving function on the new long-wheelbase E-Class, and it is the primary contributor to developing MB.OS, the proprietary operating system of the group.

Last year, the company conducted exchanges with 200,000 young talent through various channels, including campus recruitment and its newly upgraded "Elite Management Trainee Program" for Chinese youth.

According to research by Deloitte China, high-quality living conditions, public platforms and social community are important factors that young talent need for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Norman Sze Nung Chi, vice-chairman of Deloitte China, said high-level talent prefer flats and serviced apartments ranging from 30 to 50 square meters per capita. They also seek quality and convenience in facilities such as international hospitals and schools.

Data support from industrial parks can help startups obtain more information, while government subsidies remain the most anticipated financial support for technology enterprises, he added.

There is a growing desire among young talent for facilities like running tracks and open spaces, which are vital for relieving stress and achieving work-life balance.

Gan Lu, secretary-general of BIC Euronova Greater China, said the organization aims to further deepen cooperation between China and Europe in cultivating young talent, as well as development in climate and artificial intelligence.

Gan said the organization will invite university students from both Europe and China's Greater Bay Area to participate in a knowledge competition about peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality this year.

zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn