University-City Integration, Win-Win Outcomes

圆桌沙龙

On August 1, 2022, the Tsinghua University and Qingdao Government-Industry-University-Research Round Table Salon was held in the international industrial design laboratory of Tsinghua (Qingdao) Academy of Arts and Science Innovation Research. In-depth and detailed exchanges and discussions were conducted on themes including university-city integration and united front work, economic management and legal system building, industrial innovation and health & well-being, smart city, and environmental resources.

圆桌沙龙

主题沙龙

Participating Experts:

Zhou Mingsheng (executive vice director-general of the United Front Work Department, Tsinghua University, professor of the Department of Engineering, Tsinghua University)

Zhao Zhigang (senior director of the General Office of the United Front Work Department of the Party Committee of Tsinghua University)

Liu Weidong (assistant to the president of Tsinghua (Qingdao) Academy of Arts and Science Innovation Research)

Attendees:

Guests from more than ten organizations, including the Qingdao Municipal Committee of the CPPCC, People's Procuratorate of Shibei District, Qingdao, United Front Work Department of Qingdao West Coast New Area Working Committee, China University of Petroleum, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao Automotive Research Institute of Jilin University, Qingdao Qingmei Education Technology Co., Ltd., and other leading enterprises in related fields in the area attended the event.

主题沙龙

During the salon, the guest representatives of the China University of Petroleum shared the basis for promoting the integration of the schools and the city based on their work experience. The cooperation goal of colleges and universities is to seek educational value, whereas the cooperation goal of enterprises is for economic gains. Talents and costs are schools and enterprises' common interests, which are prerequisites for in-depth cooperation between the two.

Zhao Zhigang, senior director of the General Office of the United Front Work Department of the Party Committee of Tsinghua University, and Liu Weidong, assistant to the president of Tsinghua (Qingdao) Academy of Arts and Science Innovation Research, shared the same opinion, i.e., it is necessary to develop university disciplines based on industrial needs and seek industrial solutions based on the development of university disciplines to integrate the development of universities and cities.

The representatives of the Tsinghua Alumni Association proposed that the Institute could take advantage of space to channel and integrate the resources of Tsinghua alumni projects and promote the paradigm shift of school-enterprise cooperation from "quantity and scale" to "quality and efficiency" in a progressive development approach.

Finally, Zhou Mingsheng, executive vice director-general of the United Front Work Department, Tsinghua University, a professor of the Department of Engineering, Tsinghua University, concluded that the Tsinghua (Qingdao) Academy of Arts and Science Innovation Research is a bridge and link for the cooperation between schools and the city. He also urged the multilateral cooperation of the Tsinghua University alumni network to exchange innovative ideas and share resources in various fields.

沙龙合影留念

Group photo in the salon

主题沙龙

主题沙龙

Participating Experts:

Zheng Xiaoping (professor of the Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, member of the Beijing Municipal Committee of China Democratic League, vice chairman of the Tsinghua Committee)

Tian Xuan (associate dean of PBC School of Finance at Tsinghua University, a non-partisan)

Nie Xin (professor at Tsinghua University School of Law, a non-partisan)

Attendees:

Guests from more than ten organizations, including Emergency Management Bureau of Qingdao West Coastal New Area, People's Court of Qingdao West Coastal New Area, Financial Bureau of Qingdao West Coastal New Area, China University of Petroleum, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao University of Technology, Changtong Law Firm, Ocean Holding Group, Shandong Kailai Capital Management Co. Ltd., Sinopec Qingdao Refining & Chemical Co., Ltd., Qingdao Port Emergency Rescue Co., Ltd., PreIPO, Ronghe Holding Group, and other leading enterprises in related fields in the area attended the event.

主题沙龙

During the salon, the guest representatives of the Emergency Management Bureau of Qingdao West Coastal New Area focused on further improving the emergency rescue business in the new area. When trying to improve the efficiency of emergency rescue, Zheng Xiaoping, a professor at the Department of Automation of Tsinghua University, suggested that, on the one hand, the humanization of the emergency process should be stressed; on the other hand, the cost of the emergency process should be addressed. He also mentioned that Qingdao could develop in the directions of internationalization, humanization, and low cost and then establish itself as a role model on a national scale.

The guest representatives of Shandong Kailai Capital Management Co. Ltd. hoped to learn about supporting the development of small and medium-sized innovative enterprises from the perspective of the capital market and the country. Professor Tian Xuan, associate dean of the School of Finance of Tsinghua University, noted that innovative small, medium, and micro private enterprises benefited more from the capital market than they did from banks. That explains why general secretary Xi Jinping repeatedly stressed the imperative to develop direct financing and establish a multi-level capital market.

The guest representatives of the Financial Bureau of Qingdao West Coastal New Area raised questions. They questioned which areas should be prioritized in the following stage, given that the private equity funds in the new area had grown by leaps and bounds for three consecutive years since 2019, and yet, in practice, there weren't many projects in the new area that could meet the success rate requirements of venture capital investment. Professor Tian Xuan said that the marketization of private equity investment was very high; in addition to roadshows and campaigns, strengthening soft services such as infrastructure and the business environment was necessary to attract quality companies and projects.

The guest representatives of the Huangdao District People's Court hoped that experts would provide scholarly input on how the grassroots people's courts could better serve economic development and boost the motivation of contract clerks. Professor Nie Xin said that a sound legal environment is a positive energy to boost the economy. He added that after the jurisdiction had been delegated, we faced judicial reform, including reform of the quota system.

The guests from Shandong Changtong Law Firm hoped to know how to prioritize between practical education and academic education in the legal education of colleges and universities and balance resources and needs while assembling a legal team. In this regard, professor Nie Xin said science itself would foster problem-oriented consciousness and solve challenges; if a law firm couldn't recruit lawyers, it might be due to a lack of growth space or other factors; it should rely more on the gradual change of the market.

沙龙合影留念

Group photo in the salon

主题沙龙

主题沙龙

Participating Experts:

Han Minfang (professor of Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua University, vice chairman of Beijing Municipal Committee of Jiusan Society, chairman of Tsinghua Committee)

Pei Pucheng (professor of Tsinghua University School of Vehicle and Mobility, member of Beijing Municipal Committee of China National Democratic Construction Association, chairman of Tsinghua Committee)

Li Jun (professor of the Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, chairman of the Tsinghua University Branch of the Chinese Peasants' and Workers' Democratic Party)

Liao Hongen (vice dean and Professor of School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, vice chairman of Haidian District Committee of China Zhi Gong Party)

Attendees:

Guests from more than ten organizations, including Qingdao Municipal Committee of the CPPCC, Development and Reform Bureau of Qingdao West Coast New Area, Bureau of Industry and Information Technology of Qingdao West Coast New Area, Health Bureau of Qingdao West Coast New Area, China University of Petroleum, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao Binhai University, Qingdao Meijin New Energy Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Aucma Co., Ltd., Qingdao Lunyun Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd., Doublestar Group Co., Ltd., Qingdao Compress Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Qingdao Haiwan Chemical (Group) Co., Ltd., Jinneng Chemical (Qingdao) Co., Ltd., Qingdao West Coast New Area People's Hospital, Qingdao West Coast New Area Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, and other leading enterprises in related fields in the area attended the event.

主题沙龙

In the salon, according to the guest representatives of the Bureau of Industry and Information Technology of Qingdao West Coast New Area, Qingdao West Coast New Area has abundant resources, and the universities in the area are also doing research on projects and technologies in hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, and hydrogen transportation. They wanted to know how the Qingdao West Coast New Area would demonstrate its advantages in the hydrogen energy industry, with the competition in this industry heating up.

Han Minfang, a professor at the Department of Energy and Power Engineering of Tsinghua University, remarked that Qingdao has been developing into an "Oriental Hydrogen Island" in recent years, with bountiful development opportunities. She noted that the first objective is to cultivate the advantages of talents and vigorously introduce academicians, experts, and scholars in the area of hydrogen energy; the second objective is to choose an energy route, which could be learned from the examples of European and American countries; the third objective is to promote industrialization and encourage enterprises to innovate.

Guest representatives of the Qingdao West Coast New Area Development and Reform Commission pointed out that the automobile industry is a key industrial chain promoted by the Qingdao West Coast New Area. They hoped that experts could chart the future course of auto and hydrogen energy storage development. In this regard, Pei Pucheng, a professor at the School of Vehicle and Mobility, Tsinghua University, said that fuel cells had been thrust to the forefront of the times, especially due to dual-carbon goals, which placed hydrogen energy in a vital strategic position in China. He added that their team had several patented technologies and hoped to cooperate extensively with various enterprises.

Guest representatives of the Qingdao West Coast New Area Health Bureau pointed out that the medical technology level and the scale of medical institutions in the new area had kept abreast of the times in recent years, leading to tremendous strides in medicine and health. According to them, despite significant improvements, there are still substantial dangers associated with minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, they hoped to get professional training from experts. Liao Hongen, the associate dean and professor of the School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, mentioned that the medical system in the new area could improve the quality of the overall medical service with the help of this minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment model. He remarked that minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment would shorten the technology and doctor training cycle compared with traditional medical treatment. However, he also mentioned that there are risks involved.

When discussing issues related to the academic exchange of young teachers with the guest representatives of Shandong University of Science and Technology, Li Jun, a professor at the Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, said that Tsinghua University had launched a training program for young teachers, aiming to build a base or a platform to share resources and help colleges and universities cultivate young teachers; it could serve as an incubator focusing on inspiring the endogenous energy for the growth of young teachers.

According to the guest representatives of the Qingdao Municipal Committee of the CPPCC, the integration of disciplines, industries, and fields was on full display during this salon's discussion. They noted that we must provide one-stop health services by integrating the big health industry in the future. They also expressed their anticipation of the pioneering cooperation with Tsinghua University in intelligent robot-assisted medical care and other areas in the future and praised Tsinghua's scientific and technological prowess amidst the sweeping social changes.

沙龙合影留念

Group photo in the salon

主题沙龙

主题沙龙

Participating Experts:

An Xuehui (professor at the Department of Hydraulic Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, vice chairman of Beijing Municipal Committee of China Zhi Gong Party, chairman of Haidian District Committee of China Zhi Gong Party, chairman of Tsinghua University Branch of China Zhi Gong Party)

Lin Borong (deputy dean and professor of the School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, chairman of the Tsinghua University Branch of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang)

Wang Jiansong (professor of Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, member of the Beijing Municipal Committee of China Association for Promoting Democracy, vice president of Tsinghua (Qingdao) Academy of Arts and Science Innovation Research)

Li Meng (associate professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, vice chairman of Tsinghua Committee of China Democratic League)

Attendees:

Guests from more than ten organizations, including Transport Burea of Qingdao West Coastal New Area, Natural Resources Burea Qingdao West Coastal New Area, Housing and Urban-rural Development Bureau of Qingdao West Coastal New Area, Urban Management And Law Enforcement of Qingdao West Coastal New Area, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao University of Technology, Sino-German Ecological Park, Qingdao Urban Planning & Design Research Institute, Qingdao Water Conservancy Survey and Design Institute Co., Ltd., Qingdao Ruiyuan Engineering Group, Qingdao Zhenqing Bus Group, and other leading enterprises in related fields in the area attended the event.

主题沙龙

Professor Lin Borong, deputy dean and professor of the School of Architecture of Tsinghua University, and the guest representatives of the Qingdao University of Technology discussed the future development direction of the Building Environment and Equipment Engineering major and building energy conservation major in colleges and universities. Professor Lin Borong pointed out that the challenge for the building environment and building technology science lies in reducing carbon emissions while improving the building's eco-friendliness and intelligence. He suggested we loosen the bonds of tradition, emphasize logic, adopt science-led designs, and replace intuition with facts to overcome this challenge.

Li Meng, associate professor of the Department of Civil Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, shared the successful experience of participating in smart transportation at the Winter Olympics with the guests and representatives. He also proposed to solve the problem of urban traffic operation and maintenance by drawing upon other successful cases and was willing to help local governments address the issues of urban traffic management via the comprehensive research platform built by the Tsinghua (Qingdao) Academy of Arts and Science Innovation Research.

During the exchange, the representatives of the guests said that the Tsinghua (Qingdao) Academy of Arts and Science Innovation Research was focusing on building interdisciplinary platforms such as the Human Settlement Environment Laboratory. He also mentioned that they were cooperating with the government to carry out relevant research on the protection and utilization of natural resources, improving the aesthetic appeal, cultural taste, and governance level in urban and rural construction, and improving the quality of life for citizens via creative and scientific endeavors.

沙龙现场

主题沙龙

Representatives of non-party experts and scholars from Tsinghua University and more than 100 people from relevant departments, key enterprises, and universities in the new area engaged in in-depth exchanges and detailed discussions, leading to fruitful outcomes. Some organizations in the area expressed their willingness to carry out extensive cooperation with expert teams in new energy, smart transportation, and other fields, by harnessing the top academic research achievements of Tsinghua University and planning to establish innovation laboratories in related fields in Tsinghua (Qingdao) Academy of Arts and Science Innovation Research to help the high-quality development of key industries in the new area. Tsinghua University also intended to establish a presence in the Tsinghua (Qingdao) Academy of Arts and Science Innovation Research by routinely organizing professors from different departments to engage in talent exchange and matchmaking activities. 

Tsinghua (Qingdao) Academy of Arts and Science Innovation Research hoped to bring the platform integration effect of high-quality resources of the school into full play at deeper, wider, and more generalized levels. It also intended to identify breakthroughs and entry points, actively connect with and serve the development of key regions, and demonstrate responsibility in promoting Qingdao and even Shandong's participation in China's national development.