Opportunities for research cooporation - Creating synergies between universities and businesses

Welcome

The participants were welcomed by Rector at Aalborg University, Finn Kjærsdam, and then shortly informed about how Aalborg University operates. Aalborg University has recognised China as being a growing market with strong significance to companies, institutions etc. Therefore Aalborg University has developed an Asia Centre and a Confucius Institute.

Internationalisation of the Triple Helix

Professor Olav Jull Sørensen from Aalborg University followed Finn Kjærsdam with a presentation focusing on creating synergies between universities and business. Mr. Sørensen presented the triple helix as being a framework for collaboration between universities, government and companies. He points out that in order for the triple helix to function optimally, the Danish helix in China must be integrated with the Chinese helix. In this way companies, institutions and governments gain most knowledge about and participation from the Chinese country and partners.

Opportunities for research cooperation

Research Manager Ebbe Kruse Vestergaard from Grundfos initiated his presentation with a short overlook of Grunfos as a company, and told that Grundfos sees enough prosperity in China for it to be the company’s future second whole market. He then went on to giving the participants an opportunity to draw upon experience that Grundfos has gained through cooperation with Aalborg University to attract Chinese talents.
The collaboration works by having Chinese master students come to Denmark and study on a scholarship paid by Grundfos and hopefully afterwards be employed by Grundfos and work at Grundfos China. The demand that Grunfos has is that the Chinese students are to work at Grundfos R&D China for at least 3 years. Grundfos has gained 5 new employees this way and Mr. Vestergaard believes these to be cultural bridges and key factors to the success in Grundfos R&D China.

R&D Partnerships in China

Vice President and Head of Corporate Research Affairs at Novo Nordisk, Børge Diderichsen started with a presentation on Novo Nordisk and their success despite the worldwide economic crisis. He went on to talking about Novo Nordisk in China and the Chinese market for insulin, which is growing alongside the country’s economy and importance.
Børge Diderichsen ended his presentation with a look into Novo Nordisk’s R&D in China counting several research partnerships which Novo Nordisk has established together with different Chinese partners. These collaborations for instance include research on diabetes, support of professorships and training of local management talents.

Sino-Danish Centre for Research and Education

Professor Lene Lange from Aalborg University ended the member meeting with a presentation on how to integrate both academia and business at the Sino-Danish Centre for Research and Education in China.

The Sino-Danish Centre  aims at giving Danish students and scientist exposure to Chinese research, and exposing in China the strengths and highlights of Danish research.
Lene Lange invited the Danish companies to come to Sino-Danish Centre with ideas on how to cooperate most efficiently.