Oxford SINO-UK Innovation and Development Forum, 10 Nov 2016, Thursday

On 10 November 2016, TMCD in collaboration with the Institute of Science and Development, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) organised a successful meeting of the Oxford SINO-UK Innovation and Development Forum in the Nissan Lecture Theatre, St. Antony's College, Oxford University from 1:30pm to 6pm.

The meeting started with a welcoming session followed by panel presentations. The welcoming session highlighted the importance of the forum at this era of rapid change when innovation has an increasing impact on the social and economic development. Innovation remains in the centre of 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. This is the time to think more about innovation, technical progress, institutional development, and global cooperation. What is the impact of technological progress with respect to genetic technology, ICT, robotic technology, 3D technology on society and economy, what is the future direction? These are topics of oncoming debate. Ian Walmsley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, Professor Fu and Jiaofeng Pan of CAS called for participation of all for the prosperity and success of the forum.

Panel 1 was about Innovation and Development: Strategy and Policies, chaired by Prof. George Yip of Imperial College Business School. Panel 2 discusses transnational innovation in practice chaired by Marc Vantresca of Said Business School of the Oxford University.  Panel 3 discusses Sino-UK innovation cooperation in a globalising world chaired by Professor Jeremy Howells of the Oxford University. Distinguished speakers were Sunan Jiang, Minister Counsellor of Science and Technology, the Chinese embassy in the UK, Stian Westlake, Executive Director of Policy & Research, NESTA, Wen Hai, Dean of Peking University HSBC Business School, Victor Zhang, President of EU Public Affairs, Huawei Technologies Ltd, David Baghurst, Managing Director，Oxford University Innovation (Hong Kong) and Biao Ding, CEO, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation UK , Professor Fu and Jiaofeng Pan.

The speakers shared successful examples of innovation cooperation and impact on growth and development. Many factors are critical to successful collaboration. Businesses must be organisationally and culturally ready for collaboration and capable of making transparent negotiation with suitable partners. The presentations were followed by questions, answers and lively discussions.  The Forum is a timely initiative and well received by all (business, research and academic communities)