On the afternoon of 4 November, the fourth ‘New Quality Productive Forces’ Entrepreneurs Forum & Industry-University-Research Meeting” was held at the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory. Jointly hosted by Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Shantou University and the Guangdong Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT), the event brought together representatives from universities, research institutes, fine-chemical enterprises and investment institutions to chart a common path forward.

Focusing on innovation in the fine-chemical and the cultivation of new-quality productive forces, the forum created a high-level platform for scientists and entrepreneurs. Participants worked to solve problems in industry-university-research collaboration, translate scientific achievements into practical applications, and promote integrated development of government, industry, academia, research and finance.

Prof. Lin Danming, Pro-Vice Chancellor of GTIIT, delivered a keynote speech. Adopting a national-strategy perspective and drawing on management theory and cases, he analysed how digital-intelligence transformation is shaping traditional chemical companies. He urged firms to reshape strategic thinking, re-engineer organisational structures and actively embrace the wave of robotics and AI. Quoting Peter Drucker, the father of modern management, he concluded: “The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday's logic”.

As a research, innovative and international university of science and engineering, GTIIT is committed to serving national strategies and regional socio-economic development. By continuously importing the innovative mindset and models of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and aligning with Shantou’s industrial priorities, GTIIT is exploring new modes and pathways for deep industry-university-research integration. Over the past three years, GTIIT has signed 64 industry-university-research contracts worth a total of RMB 21.64 million, including 22 projects with Guangdong-based companies, two joint laboratories and one new-type R&D institute, injecting “GTIIT momentum” into local industrial upgrading.

Michael Lv, Director of GTEC, together with faculty members, took part in the road-show session, presenting GTIIT’s latest scientific innovations and industry-university-research achievements. This further strengthened communication between the university, local government and enterprises, advancing technological innovation and the commercialisation of research outcomes.