On September 15, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) President Shiyi CHEN attended the 2020 Innovation Nanshan “Entrepreneurs Star” Contest Awards Ceremony. As part of his attendance, he spoke about “Xili Lake International Science and Education City: Creating New Opportunities for University-Industry Partnership.”
In his speech, President Shiyi CHEN shared his story about talking with the 10th Stanford President, John L. Hennessy. Based on President CHEN’s experience at SUSTech, he analyzed the importance of “academic freedom” and “entrepreneur spirit” to establish Xili Lake International Science and Education City.
Academic freedom and entrepreneurial spirit are essential to the founding of the Xili Lake International Science and Education City. Shiyi CHEN looked at world-class universities such as Stanford, Harvard, Technical University of Munich (TUM), and Tsinghua to show how they integrate and promote regional innovation through regional educational density.
President Shiyi CHEN highlighted the importance of industry-university research partnerships supportive government in the development of top science and education cities. He pointed out that in the United States, the universities came before Silicon Valley. However, in Shenzhen, the opposite occurred; the city hosts headquarters for many core industries and product innovations. President CHEN stressed that the construction of the Xili Lake International Science and Education City is against the backdrop of Shenzhen’s high-speed entrepreneurial development and industry growth.
In his assessment of Xili Lake International Science and Education City, he pointed out the need to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the Greater Bay Area and Shenzhen. President Shiyi CHEN highlighted the need to take advantage of the first-mover advantage to develop emerging industries such as biomedicine, new materials, and software.
Xili Lake International Science and Education City offers a leading position in Shenzhen and across the country for the next 50 years. It promises to create a concentrated center for technology, education, industry, and talent development. The investment in the region will highlight China’s scientific and educational innovation while promoting the world-class development of Xili Lake International Science and Education City.
President Shiyi CHEN is a firm believer in the idea that universities and research laboratories support the development of Xili Lake International Science and Education City. He cited the ongoing cooperation between SUSTech and Nanshan District, pointing out the development of the Shenzhen Applied Mathematics Center, the School of Microelectronics, Affiliated Hospitals, and affiliated schools. He hoped to cooperate further with Nanshan District in areas such as industry-university research, technology transfer, talent pipelines, and the integration of science & education.
SUSTech strives to promote innovation through industry-university research that supports Shenzhen’s industrial chain. Its technology transfer system is designed to supporting SUSTech in becoming the most entrepreneurially-minded university in China and an engine for serving municipal and regional development.
In closing his speech, President Shiyi CHEN expressed his full confidence in Xili Lake International Science and Education City. “The next batch of unicorn companies and world-class enterprises will start in Xili Lake International Science and Education City. It will also be the home for world-class universities and research institutions.”
Following the award ceremony, President Shiyi CHEN took part in a forum focused on “Opportunities and Challenges for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.” He joined educational and business leaders across Shenzhen for the forum. Nanshan District Science and Technology Innovation Bureau Director Shiming LIU chaired the forum.
