BEIJING: Leaders from 15 top universities in China and other nations called for strengthening international cooperation in science and technology to build an open and shared global innovation ecosystem for sustainable development during a forum.
The Belt and Road University Presidents Forum and Conference on Universities and Sustainable Development, hosted by Chongqing University, brought together heads from nine universities in Belt and Road Initiative countries and six leading Chinese institutes to discuss enhancing academic exchanges in the face of global challenges.
“Scientific and technological cooperation is a key component of the BRI,” said Sun Jian, deputy director of international cooperation at the Ministry of Science and Technology, during the event’s opening ceremony.
The forum follows a research collaboration network initiated last year by Chongqing University, which brought together 12 universities from BRI countries to improve communication and cooperation. The University Network for Research Collaboration, part of the Belt and Road Science and Technology Initiative, promotes the exchange of knowledge and resources among global universities and fosters stronger scientific research ties. “Scientific and technological innovation is the primary driver for addressing common global challenges and achieving sustainable development, and universities are at the forefront of that effort,” Sun added, highlighting the BRI’s potential for scientific collaboration given its rich cultural and diverse resources. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
