[Video/chinadaily.com.cn]

Research and education are two very important parts of the development of industry, said Bjorn Reidar Sorensen, dean of the Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology at Arctic University in Norway at the 2025 International Forum on Industry-Education-Research Integrated Development held in Jinan, Shandong province on March 20.

The forum provided an important platform for exploring the latest trends in industry-education-research integration and facilitated the sharing successful experiences, he said.

He also highlighted the importance of promoting international collaboration in industry-education-research integration and praised the remarkable progress made by Shandong in education, technology, and international collaboration.

Reflecting on his first visit to Jinan in 2013, he highlighted the significant advancements that have been made in the region over the past 12 years, particularly in the fields of education and technological innovation.

He emphasized that much of the world's technological development is currently happening in China, with Shandong at the forefront. The dean also stressed the importance of fostering strong international cooperation in these areas to drive further progress.