University leaders from all over the world are coming together for Times Higher Education’s (THE) Innovation and Impact Summit on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 November at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) Shenzhen, China.
Under the event’s theme ‘Universities and cities: Advancing sustainable innovation’ attendees will explore how universities can create and sustain cities that are hubs of innovation and will spotlight emerging and established innovation hubs, including the Greater Bay Area, London and Los Angeles.
Key speakers include:
- Weihua Ma, Chairman, National Fund for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (China)
- Ting Gu, Deputy director general of the Foreign Affairs Office, Government of Shenzhen
- Qikun Xue, President, Southern University of Science and Technology
- Mingles Tsoi, Chief exploration officer, ParticleX
- Max Lu, President and vice-chancellor, University of Surrey (UK)
- Joseph Lee, President and chair professor, Macau University of Science and Technology
- Carolyn Evans, President and vice-chancellor, Griffith University (Australia)
More than 40 speakers including university leaders from China, India, Malaysia, USA and UK as well as government officials and business people will join over 250 attendees to explore the importance of universities in supporting the creation of new cities and regional economies. They will also look at the role universities can play in ensuring cities thrive, especially when faced with threat of global warming, innovatively and sustainably.
Two tours of Shenzhen tech companies will take place during the event where attendees will visit two trail-blazing robotic tech companies in Shenzhen or two pioneering medical tech companies in Shenzhen.
Attendees will discuss how city authorities can create the best environment for businesses to invest and universities to prosper and the types of universities that are needed by cities with fast-growing populations.
The event includes the launch of a joint UNESCO and THE report on the contribution of higher education institutions to sustainable cities and communities.
Hosted in collaboration with SUSTech, this is the first in-person event THE has run in China in six years. Attendees can expect case studies showcasing sustainable cities, practical workshops, best practice sharing and networking opportunities.
Jamie Ramacciotti, Head of content - THE events, said:
"THE is excited to bring our global events series back to China after six years for this year's Innovation and Impact Summit. In addition to an array of international speakers, the event will offer two fantastic tours of innovative companies and an exclusive report launch. For anyone interested in sustainable cities, this event is not to be missed."
Tickets are available for delegates representing a university, association, public sector or NGO for £595 and for delegates representing a corporate organisation they are £1,595. Discounted tickets for groups of three or more are also available. Tickets can be booked here.
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