From June 19 to 24, Vice President Zhou Guoping of Shanghai Academy led a delegation to Israel and Jordan. During the visit, the delegation conducted in-depth exchange with the Office of the Chief Scientist under the Israeli Ministry of Economy, Tel-Aviv University, Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd, and Petra University of Jordan. Matters discussed include, the structure of Israel's innovation system, the operational model for transfer of the fruits of scientific and technological research done by colleges and universities, and the administration system for scientific and technological research in colleges and universities. The delegation also reached a preliminary agreement on cooperation with Petra University of Jordan in such areas as cooperation on scientific and technological research, and dispatching exchange students. Researcher Ji Weimin, Director of the Secretariat of Shanghai Academy, Ms. Chen Yao, Director of the Administration Department of the Academy, along with other relevant staff of the academy, participated in the visit.

Meeting with a staff from Office of the Chief Scientist

During the visit to the Office of the Chief Scientist in the Israeli Ministry of Economy, Ms. Merav Tapiero, the program manager of China-Israel industrial R&D framework, briefed the delegation on the Office's unique positioning and role as the administration authority in charge of scientific and technological innovation in Israel, Israel's macro policies designed to encourage scientific and technological innovation, relevant supporting policies, and the office's current cooperation with provinces and cities of China. Ms. Tapiero also said that the office is looking forward to further deepening its cooperation with Shanghai through cooperation with Shanghai Academy.

During the delegation’s visit of Tel-Aviv University, Prof. Yoav Henis, vice president of the university and in charge of scientific research, warmly received the delegation and described in detail the university's specific measures and administration methods, designed to encourage innovation and transfer of the fruits of research of its faculty and students. Mr. Shlomo Nimrodi, CEO of Romat Inc., which is responsible for transfer of the university's research fruits, described in detail the company’s role and function in commercialization of the university's research fruits, and its specific operation model. Besides, the delegation also conducted an exchange with Mr. Wu Yang, director on the Chinese side of Confucius College in Tel-Aviv University, to gain an understanding of the college’s achievements in popularizing the teaching of Chinese language in Israel, and in promoting cultural exchange between China and Israel. The two parties reached a preliminary agreement on conducting exchange of scholars and cooperative research in the field of Jewish culture study. During the visit in Israel, the delegation also visited Yissum, the entity responsible for management of intellectual property and transfer of scientific and technological research fruits in Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Ms. Irina Abramzon, the officer in charge of intellectual property business in the company, elaborated Yissum's development history, organizational structure, specific operation mechanisms, and its success cases and failure cases, as a leading company in the commercial transfer of scientific and technological research.

On June 23, Petra University of Jordan cordially received the delegation's visit. Many officials of the university, including Prof. Marwan Muwalla, President of the university, Prof. Mohammad Anani, Vice President of the university, Dr. Bassam Haddad, Assistant to the President, and heads of such departments and colleges including the Admission and Graduates Affairs Office and the Media and Journalism College, attended the meeting with the visiting delegation. During the meeting, the attending staff of the university carefully listened to the delegation’s introduction about Shanghai Academy, and the two parties conducted in-depth discussion and exchange about issues that interest both parties, including cooperation on scientific research, and dispatching students to study in Shanghai University. After the meeting, the delegation visited the university's Innovation Centers, Faculty of Journalism and Media and Faculty of Information Technology. There they carefully listened to an introduction about the university's practices and achievements in encouraging its faculty and students to make scientific and technological innovation, and the transfer of the fruits of that research.

Visit to the Innovation Center of Petra University

During their visit, the delegation also conducted exchange with the relevant staff of the Chinese Embassy in Israel, and Chinese teachers from TAG Confucius Institute during intervals of their visits. The delegation gained an appreciation both of the current situation of cooperation between China and Israel and Jordan in the field of culture and education, and of Israel’s and Jordan's needs and feedback regarding such cooperation.

Through this visit, the delegation received an in-depth understanding of Israel's innovation system and Israeli universities’ and colleges' specific operation models and administration mechanisms in transfer of scientific and technological research fruits. Of special interest were the respective roles and functions of research staff, universities or colleges, and companies carrying out the transfer, and the model of profit distribution among the three parties. These details will be of great reference significance as Shanghai develops a globally influential scientific and technological innovation center, handling the transfer of scientific and technological research fruits of Chinese colleges and universities. The visit to Petra University of Jordan enabled the delegation to deeply feel the high interest of Jordan's universities and colleges, especially private universities and colleges, in China, particularly Shanghai, and their strong desire for cooperation with relevant entities in China. The visit is a successful attempt by Shanghai Academy to explore the potential for cooperation with Jordan's universities and colleges, and serves to promote positive exposure of Shanghai Academy and Shanghai University in a foreign country.

(Written and Photo by Zhao Xueyan)