2018-07-02, Zhuhai - Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) Dean of undergraduate studies, and professor of environmental engineering, Prof. Ory Lahav was invited as a representative from academia to participate the 4th China-Israel Investment summit (Zhuhai), while participated as a panel member at the opening ceremony main forum "Dialogue: Cooperation between Israel and Chinese cities". He commented: "GTIIT could be a platform of Israeli advanced technology and innovation talent for the Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao greater bay area, we aim to promote integrative multidisciplinary research in the form of research centers such as 'Sustainable world' that will include Materials, Environment, Biotechnology etc."

China-Israel Investment summit is an important platform in promoting bi-lateral economic and business cooperation, as it was included in the "China-Israel governmental economic and technology cooperation mechanism three-year action plan" jointly signed by the China Development Reform Commission (NDRC) and Israeli Prime Minister's office since March, 2017. With the deepening development of the "one belt one road" initiative, the cooperation and exchange between Chinese and Israeli enterprises are also increasingly close. Since the establishment of the economic and technological cooperation mechanism between China and Israel in 2013, according to the characteristics of international technology transfer and industrial transformation of a large number of innovative enterprises in Israel, it has been found in practice that taking Chinese cities as carriers can better undertake the transfer and growth of innovative achievements in Israel. therefore, it has explored the development model of mobilizing the initiative, enthusiasm and creativity of cities and carrying out practical cooperation with Israel under the unified and coordinated guidance of the cooperation mechanism.

At the end of 2013, NDRC have made an open call to interested Chinese cities, among 20 cities applied, four cities including: Dalian, Changzhou, Guangzhou, and Dongguan was selected as China-Israel cooperation key cities, based on rigorous criteria such as: level of industrial development, and degree of international cooperation, etc. in recent years, these cities have all developed extensive and special experiences in collaborating with Israel in the areas of incentive policy programs, financial innovation, platform establishment, and events organization. At the same time, cities like Zhuhai, Zhengzhou, Shantou are also actively engaged in developing cooperation links with Israel.

At the conversation with forum host, Dr. Peng Jian, Prof. Ory Lahav explained that the Technion has a deep understanding of the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship, two characteristics that distinguish this university since its cornerstone ceremony in 1912, 36 years before the establishment of the state of Israel.

In 2018, Technion continues to be a global trailblazer, the recent inaugurations of Cornell Tech in New York City, and the GTIIT in China consolidate Technion's global impact and empower a new kind of innovation through research excellence – beyond the limitation of national boundaries, finding ways of expanding and broadening those benefits to more people.

GTIIT was officially inaugurated in December 2017 in Shantou. It is an historic partnership between Technion and Shantou University, supported by the benefactor of Shantou University, Mr. LI Ka Shing, to brings Israeli higher educational resources to China. It will train an elite cadre of scientists and engineers, with 3000 students in the first decade, including 300 postgraduates recruited from around the world.

This year's summit theme is based on "Innovation Cooperation For a Bright and Smart Future in the Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Greater Bay Area" which included a series of branded events, including the opening ceremony, the main forum, several break-out sessions, guest dialogues and business-to-business matchmaking meetings, covering the gamut of industries in which the two countries excel and have a deep interest, including smart manufacturing, the digital economy, intellectual property, bio-medicine, smart cities, among others. Israeli companies in concert with some of China's leading hi-tech firms will also hold thematic roadshows, giving participants the opportunity to experience the world's latest technological innovations first hand.

As scientific research institutions are often termed as the true source of innovation, and the technical poles of industry clusters, Prof. Ory Lahav was asked by the forum host, Dr. Peng Jian: "The mayors of Zhuhai, Zhengzhou and many other cities here today will welcome cooperation with the Technion and GTIIT. What are the plans for university-industry cooperation, and what considerations and thoughts do you share, with regards to cooperation with enterprises, industrial parks, and local governments?"

Prof. Ory Lahav replied that It is interesting to consider how Israel - a developing country became a developed country in half a century, and positioned itself as a world leader in new technologies in just 70 years.  For over a century, Technion has provided the spirit of innovation that responds to the need: anticipating the problems of tomorrow with pioneering solutions born out of an infinite source of potential.

The former mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg famously said during the launch of Cornell Tech in 2013 that the Technion is the only university in the world which managed to reverse the economy of an entire country from exporter of oranges to advanced manufacturing and hi-tech. All of Technion's achievement in innovation is largely due to its people, the world-class scientists, among them are three Nobel laureates; and Technion's students and alumnus, whom are the true driving force of a global dynamo of innovation and reinvention – where everything is considered possible! As we gathered here today celebrating innovation, I'm sure among the audience, there are many Technion graduates that are the best proof of what we do!

Going forward, we are planning on collaboration of GTIIT researchers and Technion Researchers through GTIIT with the industrial sector in China, including cooperation with enterprises and industrial parks (for example, we recently signed an collaboration agreement with Foshan Hi-tech industrial development zone, whereas a purposely built facility will help to promote technology transfer of GTIIT linking with Foshan based manufacturing resources). We would like to invite in 2019 the chemical, biotechnological and materials-based industries in the Guangdong province and outside the province to come and visit GTIIT, meet with the faculty and tour our research facilities. We will also initiate visits of students and staff to local industries in the hope that this will pave the way to successful collaboration in the future.

Text/Photos: GTIIT  Research, Innovation & Graduate Studies