Chen Jianmeng, a CPPCC member and president of Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, shares his insights on local universities' role in fostering innovation in Zhejiang. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

At the opening of the Third Session of the 13th Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference or CPPCC on Jan 13, Chen Jianmeng, a CPPCC member and president of Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, shared his insights on local universities' role in fostering innovation.

Speaking during a media interview, Chen highlighted two key areas: Optimizing academic programs and translating research into practical industrial applications.

Chen emphasized aligning university disciplines with Zhejiang's industrial clusters, nurturing talent for emerging industries. On innovation, he advocated practical research tailored to industry needs, citing successful collaborations where his university faculty resolved carbon-emission challenges for chemical parks in Hangzhou Bay.

"Universities can be pivotal in developing new productivity," Chen stated, underscoring plans to build talent systems and open innovation ecosystems to drive Zhejiang's development forwards.