​Research Festival celebrates innovation at XJTLU

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University researchers can help break boundaries both between countries and cultures and across academic disciplines, agreed keynote speakers at the 2019 XJTLU Research Festival and XIPU Forum’s Research Talks Session last week.

There are many opportunities for cooperation in research between XJTLU and traditional Chinese universities that would benefit both sides, according to Professor Xiaohong Guan (pictured below), member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, dean of the School of Electronic and Information Engineering at Xi'an Jiaotong University, and part of the Center for Intelligent and Networked Systems at Tsinghua University.

“XJTLU’s research activity is unique, because the University bridges not only the culture and technology of East and West, but also the contemporary and traditional,” he said at an interview during the Festival.

“The University’s international view, openness and connection with first-class research institutions worldwide, along with its interdisciplinary approach, result in a stronger focus on the frontier than that of traditional Chinese universities.

“In contrast, Chinese universities like Xi’an Jiaotong University have a broad reach because we are well-established with a long history and play a leading role in China nationwide.

“Combining our unique strengths is a win-win for all.”

Gareth Taylor, consul at the British Consulate General Shanghai (pictured below), said that XJTLU has the opportunity to further the strong partnership that already exists between China and the United Kingdom.

“The U.K. is already China’s second largest partner for joint research,” said Taylor, who leads the Consulate’s Science and Innovation Network in Southern China.

“When this China-U.K. joint research was analysed and compared to U.K.- or China-only research, it showed joint China-U.K. research is more highly cited and of a higher quality.

“By bringing together people with an insight of both the U.K. and Chinese systems, more of this leading joint research can be produced.”

XJTLU can be proud of its research efforts to date, said Dr Fei Ma, dean of Research and Graduate Studies at the University.

"Our researchers have made remarkable achievements, with 114 research development fund projects completed,” Ma said.

XJTLU established the Research Development Funds in 2010 as part of its key strategic goal to become a research-led institution.

“Externally, our academic staff are actively engaged with local government, industry partners, institutions, and universities at home and abroad,” he noted.

“In our short history, we have successfully signed about 200 research collaboration memorandums of understanding and agreements with external enterprises. Staff have been granted about 70 invention patents. The quality and quantity of the patents reflect the dynamic vitality and rich diversity of research at XJTLU.”

The one-week XJTLU Research Festival and XIPU Forum titled ‘Break the Boundaries – Innovative Technology, Innovative Life’ was held at the International Research Center Building on the South Campus. The event celebrated 13 years of research accomplishments and innovative exploration at the University.

A coinciding XJTLU Research Exhibition included displays of achievements from Research Development Fund projects, XJTLU students and organizations that promote technology and innovation.

Organizations represented in the display included the XIPU Institution, International Innovation Hub, International Technology Transfer Center, Artificial Intelligence University Research Center, Operations and Supply Chain Research Institute, Data Analytics/Big Data Research Institutes, Quantity Finance Research Institute, Sustainable Materials and Environment Research Institute, and the Future Cities Research Institute.

By Tamara Kaup