Global innovation, entrepreneurship education forum opens in Hunan

The fourth Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Forum opened in Shaoshan, a county-level city under the administration of Xiangtan city in Central China's Hunan province, on Sept 27.

Focused on innovation, entrepreneurship and market transformation of university-developed research achievements, the forum discussed problems and issues related to that focus in the world of education. It looked in particular at how to build a collaborative university-business partnership that could cultivate entrepreneurial talent.

China Science & Merchants Capital Management (CSC) Group has established strategic cooperation relationships with 120 universities in China and abroad, according to its CEO and Chairman Shan Xiangshuang.

The group aims to upgrade universities, colleges and research institutes with entrepreneurship education, investment and services, Shan said. One of its goals is to implement a "three-step" strategy for building China's own super Silicon Valley.

Shan Xiangshuang addresses the forum. [Photo by Li Yuefeng /chinadaily.com.cn]

Strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship education was also the focus of Zheng Xinli, former deputy director of the Policy Research Office of the Central Committee. He said it is a priority in deepening China's educational reform, and urged universities to focus on the cultivation of innovative and entrepreneurial talents and changes to their enrollment policies to ensure promising leaders emerge in the high-tech sector. He also cited a need for recruitment of innovative trainers and teachers to develop China's power in science and technology.

Li Jiajun described the university's current resources for industrialization and transfer, pointing out that establishing elements and resources that offer innovation and entrepreneurship is a prerequisite for acquiring market access.

Li Jiajun, Party chief of Tianjin University, at the forum [Photo by Li Yuefeng /chinadaily.com.cn]

Former vice minister of science and technology Zhang Jing'an emphasized the role of talent in realizing the Chinese Dream.

"Science and technology are the primary productive forces, and independent innovation is the primary competitiveness," Zhang said, adding that Chinese education will bring about more remarkable achievements in social and economic development.

Guo Chuanjie, former secretary of the Party committee at the University of Science and Technology of China, delivered a speech titled "New technology and Sharing of Education". Guo said that the essential idea of education sharing is that education should be based on a complete chain encompassing institutions, teaching platforms, artificial intelligence and financial assistance.

Dai Jiagan, executive vice president of the Chinese Society of Education, analyzed the tremendous changes in and resulting impacts on China's education system brought about by the resumption of college entrance examinations. He said that the way China's education system selects and nurtures talents is not consistent with the requirement of the current development of Chinese society.

He pointed out that according to the Outline of China's National Plan for Medium and Long-term Education Reform and Development (2010-2020), one of the major tasks is to reform talent training so that development of new-type talents and efforts in innovation and entrepreneurship will be prioritized.

Liu Jijun, founder and CEO of China Entrepreneurial University Investment Management Co., Ltd, a company committed to innovation and entrepreneurship education and practices, delivers a speech at the forum. [Photo by Li Yuefeng /chinadaily.com.cn]

Liu Jijun, founder and CEO of China Entrepreneurial University Investment Management Co (CEUIM), spoke about the steps required to provide Chinese universities with an innovative and entrepreneurial transformational system, which include supporting university funds, building university infrastructure and promoting education-related industries.

Round table talk on the Road to University Transition [Photo by Li Yuefeng /chinadaily.com.cn]

Liu Xin, president of Tianjin University of Technology and Education, briefed the forum on efforts the university has made to carry out the spirit of the speech made by Premier Li Keqiang during his inspection of the university earlier this month. Liu also outlined the university's work on the development of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Tian Yanan, vice CEO of CEUIM, spoke about the angel board service at the Shenzhen Culture Assets and Equity Exchange, which focuses on financial assistance to innovative and entrepreneurial-oriented companies. Zhang Kaiyi, CEO of Beita Technology and Ge Wenjun, founder of Tangsu Technology, displayed their innovative products at the forum. Their companies were among the first to be listed on that exchange.

A highlight of the forum was release of the Blue Book of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Development in Chinese Universities 2017. CSC vice CEO Duo Jungang described its contents, philosophy, meaning and feeling. He hoped the book will be a positive influence in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship education in China.

Liu Jijun urged all participants to think more deeply about innovative entrepreneurship and reform of higher education in China based on the knowledge they absorbed at the forum and the invaluable inspiration they gained. He noted that CSC and CEUIM have been bringing invaluable resources to that reform.

Group photo at the closing ceremony [Photo by Li Yuefeng /chinadaily.com.cn]

The forum created a new opportunity for entrepreneurial university education in China.