How to make the World Young Scientist Summit (WYSS) “go global”, how to further enhance the internationalization level of the WYSS, and expand the channels of contact and communication with overseas scientific and technological organizations... On May 11 and 12, the Executive Committee Office of the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology of the WYSS, in conjunction with the China-Europe Innovation and Entrepreneurship Association, held two seminars for overseas scientific and technological organizations and expert representatives of the 2022 WYSS, with nearly 80 participants.
The meeting focused on the activities planning of the European branch venue of the 2022 WYSS, the preparation of the World Federation for Young Scientists and the establishment of the Overseas Liaison Expert Group of the WYSS. Dr. Wang Meng, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the WYSS, introduced the general situation of the WYSS in the past three years, and Dr. Song Zhiwei, President of the China-Europe Innovation and Entrepreneurship Association, introduced the general idea of “Dialogue between Chinese and European Young Scientists on the Future” in the European branch of the 2022 WYSS. Academicians, professors and experts from 14 international scientific and technological organizations and well-known universities, including the European Union Scientific Research Personnel Service Center, European Research and Innovation Center, KU Leuven, Ghent University, RWTH Aachen, German Federation of Women Entrepreneurs, Silk Road Cooperation Think Tank (Germany), the Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale, the Danish Academy of Technology, the International Association of Advanced Materials (Sweden), University of Salford, University of Huddersfield, VU University Amsterdam and University of Kragujevac School of Medicine, gave special reports, focusing on the work carried out by their respective institutions in the fields of youth innovation and international cooperation, and the idea of concrete cooperation with the WYSS.
Dai Li, the second-level inspector of the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology and director of the Executive Committee Office of the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology of the WYSS, made a concluding speech. He emphasized that the WYSS is an open and shared international exchange platform, and has been committed to promoting cross-border integration and innovative cooperation among young people from all walks of life through various forms of scientific and cultural exchanges, so as to jointly build a more inclusive, fair and sustainable future. He expressed sincere gratitude to the participating experts for their selfless sharing and strong support for the WYSS. At the same time, he said that the Executive Committee Office of the WYSS will carefully sort out and fully absorb the suggestions and opinions of the participating experts, jointly plan the future special events of the China-EU Science and Technology Youth Dialogue, and take this opportunity to continuously strengthen contacts with international institutions, universities and experts, further expand exchanges and mutual trust, expand cooperation space in academic, scientific and technological, innovation and other fields, and create a more open and inclusive international science and technology exchange environment.
The meeting was strongly supported by the Chinese Embassy in Belgium. Deng Yonghui, Counselor of Science and Technology, Liu Hongge, Counselor of Culture, and other embassy officials attended the meeting. At the same time, nearly 30 overseas Chinese experts from the Federation of Chinese Professional Associations in Europe, Chinese Students & Scholars Association in Cambridge, Nordic Innovation Center, and Central and Eastern Europe (Budapest) Innovation Center attended the meeting.
Relevant responsible persons from the Society Department of the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology, the Zhejiang International Folk Science and Technology Exchange Center, the Zhejiang Academician Expert Service Center, Wenzhou Association for Science and Technology, Zhejiang Young High-level Talents Association, Zhejiang Women Science and Technology Workers Association, Zhejiang Lab and Alibaba DAMO Academy attended the meeting.
Dr Sarah Medina, Director of China Department of European Research and Innovation Center, said that she is looking forward to the future activities of the dialogue. She said that young people represent the present and the future and are an important driving force for social development, and believed that this activity can deepen people’s mutual understanding and build a bridge of cooperation between China and the EU.
Professor Luke Tervey of Ghent University shared the European Youth Forum, European Youth Year and other related activities to be held in Europe this year, and suggested looking for possible cooperation opportunities.
Dr. Micael Sivajervi, Director of Scientific Research and Innovation Department of International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM), suggested that future activities of dialogue should focus on interactivity and long-term, stimulate innovative thinking of youth groups, guide them to learn from each other, and encourage and cultivate youth leadership.
Rene Safas, director of the Dual Master Program of RWTH Aachen University-Tsinghua University, gave a detailed introduction to the educational research and internationalization development of RWTH Aachen University in recent years, and expressed the hope to join the related activities of the WYSS.
Dr Martin Baker, Senior Consultant of Danish Academy of Technology, suggested that the future activities of the dialogue could focus on topics such as social sciences, disease prevention and control, carbon emissions and green economy, and bio-economic policies.
Professor Brian Borg of University of Salford introduced the discipline development, cooperative research projects and infrastructure construction of University of Salford in detail, and expressed his desire to cooperate in medical research, sustainable development, educational philosophy and artificial intelligence.
Stephen Horvath, founder of Silk Road Cooperative Think Tank (Germany), expressed his vision of building an innovative platform for research and dialogue among countries along the “Belt and Road Initiative”. He said that he hopes to combine science and enterprise globally and achieve symbiosis in inspiration, research and solutions. The WYSS can become a structured platform, through which young scientists and technicians can discuss challenging topics in various disciplines and engineering fields, and design models and solutions that meet the requirements of global multilateral ESG.
Haldore Berg Hadalson, chief representative of the EURAXESS in China, suggested that regarding the future activities of dialogue, we can build an overall activity framework for better cooperation between China and Europe. He believed that activities should focus on scientists, taking into account both institutional and individual scientists. It is necessary to build a good environmental platform for young people and invite younger people to share.
Wim Paulette, director of the International Office of the Faculty of Engineering Technology of KU Leuven, introduced in detail the advantageous disciplines and campus construction of KU Leuven, and expressed a strong willingness to cooperate.
Dr. Monica Krombigel, a member of the Board of Directors of the International Committee of the German Federation of Women Entrepreneurs, said that she hoped to promote the international exchange of women entrepreneurs and further boost the development of women entrepreneurs by participating in future activities of dialogue. She also recommended several outstanding women in the fields of science and technology and business to participate in the Dialogue for the Future.
Professor Vladimir Yakovlevich, Dean of School of Medicine, University of Kragujevac, introduced the research direction and achievements of School of Medicine, University of Kragujevac, and expressed his willingness to participate in cooperation with an open mind, hoping to jointly support the European activities of the WYSS and build a bridge for scientific and technological exchanges between China and Europe.
Professor George Uzan, director of the 972 Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale, expressed an open and cooperative attitude. He suggested holding special activities in the field of stem cell medicine and conducting in-depth exchanges in the field of regenerative medicine.
Hans Drens, director of the Entrepreneurship Center of VU University Amsterdam, introduced the progress of innovation and entrepreneurship of VU University Amsterdam and expressed his willingness to participate in the WYSS.
Dr. Peter Chen, Chief Representative of China Representative Office of University of Huddersfield, introduced the situation of the University in international cooperation and research center. He suggested that the WYSS could organize outstanding young scientists to give lectures to students under the age of 18 to support the development of education in underdeveloped areas.