University welcomes China Innovation and Development Association
Thu, 07 Aug 2014 09:28:00 BST
The Chinese delegation toured the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre
WHEN a group of leading investors and industrialists from China visited the University of Huddersfield, they were greeted by one of their country’s top scientists.
Professor Xiangqian Jiang (pictured right), who is Director of the University’s EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Advanced Metrology, worked in the Chinese automotive industry before relocating to the UK for a distinguished academic and research career.
She was one of a party that welcomed a 15-strong delegation from the China Innovation and Development Association that paid a fact-finding trip to Huddersfield, at the invitation of the town’s MP, Barry Sheerman, and the Mid-Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.
Central to the day was a visit to the University’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC), where the Chinese visitors were welcomed by Professor Andrew Ball, who is Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, alongside Professor Jiang, who also spoke to the visitors and escorted them around the Innovation Centre.
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman with the Chinese CIDA delegation
The delegation were addressed by Professor Liz Town-Andrews (pictured second row centre in the group photo above), the University’s Director of Research and Enterprise, who explained the vision behind the 3M BIC, including the goal of establishing a research and development science park, working closely with the local Kirklees Council. MP Barry Sheerman – who is a Visiting Professor of Social Enterprise at the University – spoke about the UK’s global position and opportunities for growth.
The visitors took a keen interest in the variety of businesses and sectors based in the 3M BIC and they attended a lunch that was co-hosted by the Government body, UK Trade and Investment.
During their visit to Huddersfield, their busy itinerary included a visit to Kirklees College and to the John Smith’s Stadium.
Professor Towns-Andrews said that the China Innovation and Development Association visit had been a valuable one. The delegates had been shown how the University worked closely with small, medium and large businesses.
“We explained that that we had some real assets that businesses need – the quality of our research and applied research. That is why we were delighted to be able to introduce them to Professor Jiang,” she said.
