China Universities' Role in Surging Chinese Economy

China Universities' Role in Surging Chinese Economy

Professor Zhang Jie

19 March 2013

5.00pm - 6.30pm

SMU Mochtar Riady Auditorium

Singapore

The previous generation of leaders propelled China onto the global stage, making it the world's second-largest economy in over 30 years. As the largest manufacturer and exporter of cars, and as Beijing and Shanghai develop into leading business hubs, China holds substantial foreign exchange reserves. With the new generation of leaders taking over, their cosmopolitan worldviews and policy choices are expected to shift the country's growth model towards efficiency, quality and sustainability. This shift may rely on raising domestic demand and fostering science and technological innovation.

In this lecture, Professor Zhang Jie, the 39th President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, discussed how China's leading universities could contribute to its new growth blueprint by addressing societal problems, through research and innovation.

  • Post-Cultural Revolution, China's economy teetered on collapse. Resource scarcity hindered progress despite attempts to develop the nation.
  • Urbanisation and innovation have been the driving forces behind China's rapid economic development.
  • Chinese universities must function as an innovation engine for the nation's economic and social transition.

Speaker

Speaker
Professor Zhang Jie

39th President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University

  • On the 'Chinese Dream'

    The Chinese dream is a dream of common prosperity and dignity, sustainable development and great contribution to the world.

    The Chinese dream is a dream of common prosperity and dignity, sustainable development and great contribution to the world.

    Zhang Jie
    39th President
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Facing the challenges ahead, Chinese universities should set up a system of institutional incentives for innovations. We have to change from administration-leading governance to academic governance, centralised to decentralised management, and institutional development to personal development.

Facing the challenges ahead, Chinese universities should set up a system of institutional incentives for innovations. We have to change from administration-leading governance to academic governance, centralised to decentralised management, and institutional development to personal development.
Zhang Jie
39th President
Shanghai Jiao Tong University