China Direct

The University of Leeds and China's Sinochem Group sign research deal

 

[Image courtesy of www.leeds.ac.uk]

CBI member The University of Leeds recently signed a £3 million collaborative research deal with Sinochem Group, a leading Chinese state-backed company whose core businesses cover energy, agriculture, chemicals, real estate, and financial services.

The money will be used to fund six new research projects in colour science, semiconductor research, polymer development, and plant science covering transgenic technology, new materials, and anti-counterfeit technologies. The research will be carried out in the Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences and the Faculty of Biological Sciences.

Professor Mike Wilson, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, said, "This is a significant commitment to collaborative research and personnel training in science and technology from a state-backed Chinese company to a British higher education institution. We are honoured that science at Leeds is held in such high regard."

Professor Li Bin, Vice President at Sinochem, said, "I believe that through the concerted efforts of both Sinochem and Leeds, we will be able to achieve our objectives of the development of advanced, commercialisable technologies. At the same time, through the Sinochem-Leeds collaboration platform, we will also be able to establish a team of leading scientists as well as a team of strong researchers."

Long Lin, Professor of Colour and Polymer Science at Leeds, said, "This deal will also help create closer relationships with highly respected colleagues in Chinese research institutes such as the Sinochem Shenyang Research Institute of Chemical Industry and the Sinochem Zhejiang Research Institute of Chemical Industry."

Please click here to read the full press release by The University of Leeds.

UK CBI Member Notts University wins green funding from Ningbo City

 

[Image courtesy of www.nottingham.ac.uk]

CBI member The University of Nottingham's Ningbo campus in China recently received nine million RMB (about £1 million) in funding from the City of Ningbo for an ambitious project to produce at least 25 manufacturing research engineers and 25 patents for new technologies over the next five years.

The funding represents the highest amount ever awarded to The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). The University's innovation team will work with at least 50 companies in Ningbo to invent low-carbon technologies. Much of the team's focus will be on the automotive industry in Ningbo.

Professor Sam Shen, Registrar at UNNC, said, "This project is vitally important for the economy of Ningbo and China in general. The government has prioritised green technologies in its latest five-year plan.

"The city of Ningbo, which is a key industrial area in China, wants to take the lead in scientific and technological innovation that helps deliver on national goals to reduce carbon emissions and at the same time generate further economic growth.

"The project's funders and leaders also have international aspirations. Our innovation team will play an important role in developing scientists in China who can create world-leading technologies and make valuable contributions to international scholarly research."

Professor Nabil Gindy, UNNC's Vice-Provost for Research and its Graduate School dean, said, "This project isn't just about research; it is about talent-building. The concept is to create a number of researchers with critical mass to work in areas that the Chinese government considers important. The emphasis will be on nurturing young scientists."

Professor Gindy also noted, "We will be working closely with businesses to look at how companies can make money, and quite possibly even more money than ever, but reduce the environmental impact of what they do.

"This project is about job creation and improved productivity as much as it is about advances in science and technology."

Please click here to read the full press release by The University of Nottingham.

 

Book Now - UKTI China Regional Cities Programme Q1 2012

 

[Image courtesy of www.ukti.gov.uk]

Dear CBI members,

You may have read about the Regional Cities Trade Missions last month on our website however if not please find a summary of China-wide missions for Q1 below.

If you are interested in the Wuhan-Zhengzhou mission scheduled for 20-22 Feb please contact: Zheng.Weiwei@fco.gov.uk Tel: 0086 10 51924406

For your reference the CBI's China office will be attending the Zhengzhou section of the Mission.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) recently released the dates for the next phase of its Regional Cities Programme in China.

The schedule of the missions is as follows: Zhengzhou and Wuhan (20-22 February 2012), Nantong and Yancheng (27-29 February 2012), Kunming (23-24 February 2012), Chongqing (05-06 March 2012), Hangzhou and Ningbo (07-09 March 2012), and Foshan and Shunde (28-29 March 2012).

These missions will offer an excellent introduction to these cities and the opportunities that they offer.

Participants in the missions will enjoy:

     • Access to high-level officials
     • Business workshops
     • Knowledge about specific opportunities

Please click here for full details on the mission to Nantong and Yancheng and here for the mission to Hangzhou and Ningbo.

It's snowing in Hangzhou and Wenzhou - thanks to SAB Miller!

 

[Image courtesy of www.sabmiller.com]

 

CBI member SABMiller recently announced that China Resources Snow Breweries Limited (CR Snow), its joint venture with China Resources Enterprise Limited (CRE), is launching a trial of SABMiller's international premium brand, Miller Genuine Draft, in Zhejiang province.

Following a launch event held in Hangzhou on 16 January, Miller Genuine Draft is now initially available in Hangzhou and Wenzhou.

Ari Mervis, SABMiller's Managing Director, Asia Pacific, said, "This is an exciting opportunity to introduce one of our international brands into the fast-growing premium segment in China in a way which takes advantage of CR Snow's strong market position in the region."

Please click here to read the full press release by SABMiller and here for additional media coverage.

2012 China Regional Cities Programme Q1

 

[Image courtesy of www.ukti.gov.uk]

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) recently released the dates for the next phase of its Regional Cities Programme in China.

The schedule of the missions is as follows: Zhengzhou and Wuhan (20-22 February 2012), Nantong and Yancheng (27-29 February 2012), Kunming (23-24 February 2012), Chongqing (05-06 March 2012), Hangzhou and Ningbo (07-09 March 2012), and Foshan and Shunde (28-29 March 2012).

These missions will offer an excellent introduction to these cities and the opportunities that they offer.

Participants in the missions will enjoy:

     • Access to high-level officials
     • Business workshops
     • Knowledge about specific opportunities

Please click here for full details on the mission to Nantong and Yancheng and here for the mission to Hangzhou and Ningbo.

University of Edinburgh builds China Exchange programme

 

[Image courtesy of www.edinburgh.ac.uk]

CBI member The University of Edinburgh recently signed agreements with six Chinese institutions, which will enable collaborations between researchers in China and Edinburgh and facilitate international exchange study programmes for students.

The new links include:

     • Edinburgh and the University of Science and Technology in China will explore the possibility of joint 
       teaching and research programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels

     • Edinburgh and Zhejiang University will develop summer schools for students while academics will 
       also explore research collaboration in neuroscience

     • Students from Renmin University in Beijing will be able to undertake one-year undergraduate 
       scholarships at Edinburgh, building on existing collaborations between the institutions on low-  
       carbon degree programmes

     • Edinburgh and East China Normal University will set up two-year exchange programmes for math 
       students, and will explore research opportunities in science

     • Edinburgh is exploring the possibility of joint research programmes with the China Academy of 
       Science

Stephen Hillier, Vice Principal International at Edinburgh, said, “We are excited about the potential of these projects. Expanding our links with China will not only encourage international students to visit and choose to study at Edinburgh, but also to be inspired by fresh ideas and new skills.”

Please click here to read the full press release.

UK University Nottingham expands engineering R&D courses in Ningbo

 

[Image courtesy of www.nottingham.ac.uk]

CBI member The University of Nottingham announced that it will hire another 30 academics to join its engineering team at its campus in Ningbo, China. The new academics will help support the expansion of the University's degree and research programmes in Ningbo.

The University of Nottingham's Science and Engineering Faculty is advertising positions for professors, associate professors, and lecturers across all its engineering disciplines, including: civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, architectural environment engineering, product design and manufacture, engineering surveying, and architecture.

Professor Gethin Wyn Roberts, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, said, "We are looking for ambitious, talented academics from reputable universities and research organisations from across the world to join our dynamic team here in China.

"We are expanding our range of degree programmes to cater for increased demand for professional engineers in Ningbo and China and general, and expect greater demand for our architecture degree courses.

"We are also rolling out exciting international research projects that have the full support and generous funding from the Chinese authorities and other organisations."

Please click here to read the full press release by The University of Nottingham.