Chongqing—On October 8, the Belt and Road University Presidents Forum and Conference on Universities and Sustainable Development was held in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, with participation from 15 universities across 11 countries.

Participants gathered at Chongqing University and engaged in in-depth discussions on two main topics: the role and responsibility of universities in promoting sustainable development of the Belt and Road partner countries and the opportunities and challenges for Belt and Road universities in terms of technological innovation and new productive forces. 

Experts collectively explored the experiences and insights of higher education institutions in addressing global challenges, promoting sustainable development, and facilitating technological innovation and new productive force construction, aiming to foster broader and deeper cooperation among international universities.

At the Belt and Road University Presidents Forum and Conference on Universities and Sustainable Development site. (Photo/Zou Le)

Chongqing's technological innovation cooperation

During the opening remarks, Ma Zhen, Vice Mayor of Chongqing, highlighted the achievements of Chongqing in advancing Belt and Road technological innovation cooperation in recent years. He noted that Chongqing has established scientific and technological cooperation relations with 63 countries, facilitating over 30,000 exchanges of researchers, implementing more than 50 international scientific innovation cooperation projects, and setting up over 30 specialized technology transfer institutions.

Mission and responsibility of universities

Wang Shuxin, President of Chongqing University, emphasized that universities play a vital role in knowledge innovation and technology transfer, bearing the essential mission and responsibility of promoting sustainable development globally. He mentioned that Chongqing University has long been committed to international exchanges and cooperation in the field of technological innovation. Last year, the university initiated the Belt and Road University Technology Cooperation Alliance, which currently includes 15 universities from 11 countries. The alliance has achieved significant progress in research collaboration, talent exchange, and the transformation of scientific achievements.

Wang expressed hope that this conference would further strengthen close cooperation among universities in Belt and Road countries, promote the transformation and application of research results, accelerate the cultivation and development of new productive forces, and provide new solutions for global sustainable development, assisting the Belt and Road initiative in entering a new phase of high-quality development.

Wang Shuxin, President of Chongqing University, gave a speech during the conference. (Photo/Zou Le)

During the conference, representatives of faculty and students actively posed questions regarding how cross-border cooperation among universities could drive innovation in green technology and intelligent manufacturing, as well as the unique challenges and opportunities faced by developing countries in the process of sustainable development. University presidents shared their insights, practices, and future considerations from a global perspective and with international awareness.

Admission of new network members

During the conference, the network also approved the admission of three new member institutions: Northwestern Polytechnical University, the University of Yangon in Myanmar, and the University of Debrecen in Hungary. Currently, the total number of member universities in the network has reached 15. Additionally, Chongqing University signed a cooperation memorandum with Belarusian State University.

Group photo of the participants. (Photo/Chongqing University)