Hefei holds forum on integration of sci-tech, economy for Anhui development

The "Into Anhui Action" Forum on the Integration of Science, Technology, and Economy for Innovative Development is held in Hefei.

On Oct 23, the "Into Anhui Action" Forum on the Integration of Science, Technology, and Economy for Innovative Development was held in Hefei, Anhui province. Themed "Energizing high-quality development with scientific and technological innovation”, the forum included leaders’ speeches, keynote presentations, and the promotion of industry-education integration achievements and a project signing ceremony.

This event was co-hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and the People's Government of Anhui Province, and co-organized by the Science and Technology Innovation Department of the CAST, the Services Center for Societies of the CAST, the Anhui Association for Science and Technology, and the Nonferrous Metals Society of China. The Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society and 17 other national associations, as well as the Anhui Provincial Science and Technology Innovation Service Center, also helped in making this event possible.

Three top experts in the field delivered insightful talks: Duan Ning, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor at Tongji University; Xu Weilin, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, president of Wuhan Textile University and deputy secretary of the university’s CPC committee; and Zhang Ting'an, foreign academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, professor of Northeastern University, and executive director of the Nonferrous Metals Society of China. These experts addressed topics such as clean energy and modern textile technology, sharing their thoughts on "Key Common Technologies for Clean Production and High-Quality Development of the Process Industry," "Applications and Development Trends of High-Performance Fibers in Aerospace," and "Reflections on the Resource Circular Economy of 'Solid Waste+'", respectively.

The forum also held an awards ceremony for Wuhu and Tongling, which were recognized as "2023-2025 Innovation-Driven Demonstration Cities" by the CAST.

At the beginning of the year, the "Into Anhui Action" initiative of the National Academic Association Science and Technology Services was officially launched. It earned strong support from the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee, the Anhui Provincial Government, and the Anhui Association for Science and Technology (AAST). This event focused on core industries in Anhui province, collecting feedback of technological needs from major sectors and key enterprises in 73 aspects across 14 fields, all of which national academic associations offered to help address.

At the launch ceremony in early June, the AAST led the municipal science and technology associations in Hefei, Wuhu, Tongling, and Chuzhou, actively matchmaking with national academic associations to promote city development and the attractions for investment and talents. A total of 21 national academic associations and one industrial alliance established expert service teams, which conducted 52 matchmaking sessions with enterprises and industrial parks in 22 counties and districts across seven cities, including Hefei, Wuhu, and Tongling. These sessions involved over 320 service experts and covered 14 fields, such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, advanced materials, and food. In the course of these services, the teams engaged with nearly 100 technology needs from 72 leading enterprises, achieving nearly 20 cooperation intentions.

The forum also featured a ceremony for the promotion of industry-education integration achievements and project signings. Zhao Rongsheng, deputy manager of Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Co., Ltd.; Song Mei, assistant to the chairman of Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd and director of the Technology Management Center of the company; and Yan Weilong, chairman of Anhui Zhenggu Rice Food Technology Co., Ltd., delivered speeches. The Nonferrous Metals Society of China, the China Nutrition Society, the Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, the China Electrotechnical Society, the Chinese Society for Metals, the China Renewable Energy Society, the China Institute of Communications, the China Textile Engineering Society, and the China Ordnance Society signed 15 cooperation agreements in fields such as new energy, food, textiles, and electronic information.

The forum not only served as an important part of the series of activities of the CAST’s annual meeting to support the construction of scientific and technological innovation highlands in local areas, but it also showcased the achievements of the "Into Anhui Action" initiative of the science and technology services of national societies. In the next step, the service center for societies of the CAST will deepen its collaboration with local governments and coordinate with innovation-driven demonstration cities, other pilot cities, national societies, and other innovation entities. This effort aims to sustainably promote the implementation of the "Anhui of Sci-tech and Innovation” initiative, contributing wisdom and strength to the high-quality development of Anhui province.