Jiangsu Industry Technology Research Institute (JITRI) and the University of Birmingham have signed a new agreement to help Chinese researchers develop their skills in technology innovation and product development.
The long-standing partners have agreed to develop a PhD researcher programme that would see JITRI researchers progressing doctorate-level research in the UK and China – spending quality research time in both Birmingham and Nanjing.
University of Birmingham Vice Chancellor & Principal Professor Adam Tickell and JITRI President Professor Qing Liu signed a formal agreement to put the initiative into practice at a special ceremony in Nanjing.
And following an agreement signed with JITRI and the Shanghai Yangtze Delta Innovation Institute in 2022, the Vice-Chancellor’s visit also saw confirmation of further funding for the commercial development of innovative research that creates real-world impact in brain health.
Our partnership with JITRI is unique for us in China as it provides a full cycle of research to innovation with joint PhD support. We are ready and look forward to welcoming the first cohort of PhD candidates from JITRI.
University of Birmingham Vice Chancellor & Principal Professor Adam Tickell
Professor Adam Tickell commented: “Our partnership with JITRI is unique for us in China as it provides a full cycle of research to innovation with joint PhD support. We are ready and look forward to welcoming the first cohort of PhD candidates from JITRI.
“The signing of these agreements marks the continuation of this long and fruitful partnership. I look forward to the University of Birmingham and JITRI delivering considerable future research success.
“We are a global university with a civic outlook and this collaboration builds on our excellent relationship with partners in Nanjing. I believe that our ongoing partnership will help to improve the quality of life for millions of people in China and beyond.”
The PhD education and research capacity building programme aims to strengthen the links between the University of Birmingham and JITRI - providing joint education for senior engineers. The programme is designed to provide strong support for the growth of Chinese high value industries – equipping students with skills that are highly sought after by international graduate employers.
The University of Birmingham and Nanjing Borui Life Science Research Institute (NBLSRI) signed an agreement last year to work together using imaging, data science, and device and education policy development to deliver research that will ultimately help to improve the brain health of patients in China and beyond.
Backed by the Nanjing Municipal Government and founded by Prof Yu Sun from Southeast University, NBLSRI aims to accelerate development of commercial opportunities derived from research in brain health and intelligent biomedical engineering, focusing on brain image data analysis, bioinformatics, brain science, and device development.
Birmingham experts have worked with JITRI to develop innovative research in key areas such as nanoparticle technology, biomedicine, recycling solutions, and low-carbon clean energy.
The collaboration between JITRI and the University of Birmingham was initiated by Professor Zhibing Zhang, co-director of the University of Birmingham’s China Institute, in September 2015. This high-profile engagement led to the establishment of a fund worth £2.7m for joint projects, which has been utilised to support six research projects.
