08 Oct 2026
How can researchers from different disciplinary backgrounds find questions of common interest? And how can academic research be connected to real industrial and societal needs?
On 7 October, the College of Industry-Entrepreneurs (CIE) and HeXie Management Centre (HeXie Academy) at XJTLU held a Research Away Day. Through NSFC application experience sharing, interdisciplinary brainstorming and research idea presentations, the faculty team exchanged research experience and explored new directions for collaboration.
Opening Remarks | Building Synergy through Organised Research
The event began with opening remarks by Prof. Xiaobo Xu, Executive Dean of the CIE and Director of HeXie Academy.
He noted that research should be grounded both in individual academic accumulation and in the practical issues arising from national strategic needs and industrial development. He encouraged faculty members to seek intersections between different research fields through open exchange, to further strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and to promote effective connections between research teams and resources.
Sharing Experience | Strategies and Insights for NSFC Applications
Focusing on National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) applications, two scholars shared their experience and strategies—from research topic selection and the distillation of scientific questions to proposal writing—drawing on their own experiences and specific cases.
Dr. Mengyue Su, Assistant Professor at the College and Centre, shared her thoughts on research topic selection and application preparation based on her NSFC application experience from 2024 to 2026. She suggested identifying entry points from the funding guidelines, previously funded projects and one's own research accumulation, and continuously refining research questions and proposal content through peer exchange, expert consultation and repeated revision.
Dr. Xiaotian Wang from Jiangnan University focused on the distillation of scientific questions, the selection of application codes and the design of research frameworks in NSFC applications. He emphasised that research foundation, national needs and scientific frontiers should be considered comprehensively. Drawing on specific project cases, he demonstrated how to construct research content following the logic of "phenomenon revelation—mechanism analysis—optimisation pathway", so that research questions, theoretical mechanisms and expected outcomes form a clear and coherent connection.
Co-creation and Exchange | Group Brainstorming and Presentations
Focusing on the challenges posed by generative AI to student assessment and academic integrity, the team explored AI use monitoring and the application of related technical tools.
Future Industry Innovation Ecosystems:
In connection with the forthcoming Future Industry Innovation Ecosystems Pathway, the team explored ways to connect students, researchers, enterprises and social organisations, and to promote social entrepreneurship, practice-based teaching and industry collaboration.
ESG and Corporate Internationalisation:
The team focused on ESG compliance, cross-cultural communication and community relations in Chinese mining companies' overseas operations, exploring related research, case development and manager training.
Health and Ageing and the Silver Economy:
Centring on the dementia care ecosystem, the team explored the integration of AI, memory care and elderly care research, extending to curriculum development and professional training.
Urban Innovation and Digital Transformation:
The team focused on the application of AI and digital technologies in urban industries, exploring research, consulting and teaching case development based on existing research and industry resources.
Application of HeXie Management Theory:
The team proposed the "HeXie Meta" concept, exploring ways to promote the application and dissemination of HeXie Management Theory through AI tools, teaching cases and campus community activities.
Although the six teams' research ideas had different emphases, they shared a common direction: starting from real industrial and societal problems, leveraging interdisciplinary research strengths, and exploring connections between research, teaching and industrial practice.
Looking Ahead | From Ideas to Future Action
The discussion also further illustrated the research development directions of the College and Centre: promoting interdisciplinary research collaboration around key areas such as HeXie management and organisational innovation, smart ageing and the silver economy, entrepreneurship and corporate governance, and sustainability and ecosystem management.
At the same time, drawing on platforms such as degree education, industry collaboration and the X-ECO Mall, research teams are also exploring more possibilities for translating academic outcomes into teaching cases, professional courses, corporate training and industry services.
The research ideas and discussion outcomes generated at the event will be further consolidated into an action plan, providing a reference for refining research proposals, connecting with collaborative resources and advancing projects. The Away Day also created opportunities for in-depth exchange among scholars from different research fields, laying the foundation for the College and Centre to further strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and expand the connections between research and industrial practice in the new academic year.
08 Oct 2026