On May 20 ,2025,Ren Youqun,then Party Secretary of Shandong University, led a delegation to visit University of Cambridge and its innovation arm, Cambridge Enterprise Limited, where a renewed cooperation agreement was signed with Cambridge Enterprise Limited.
At the signing ceremony, Ren Youqun stated that Shandong University and Cambridge Enterprise Limited have established a robust collaborative platform yielding substantial achievements. He expressed hope that both parties would implement the new agreement with high quality, building upon innovation management and research commercialization, which would involve integrating the university science park with the institution's innovation ecosystem to broaden the scope and frequency of exchanges, diversify joint training channels for elite talent, and explore new multidisciplinary collaboration opportunities.
Diarmuid O’Leary, Vice-Chancellor of University of Cambridge and Board Member of Cambridge Enterprise Limited, acknowledged the collaborative achievements to date. He affirmed Cambridge University's commitment to deepening cooperation with Shandong University, with Cambridge Enterprise pledging full support for the university's innovation transformation system and regional innovation ecosystem development. He expressed anticipation for further expanding collaborative opportunities in key disciplinary fields to achieve higher levels of mutual benefit.
Han Shenghao, Dean of School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship,Shandong University, and Caroline Hyde, Head of Ecosystem Initiatives and Partnerships at Cambridge Enterprise, signed the cooperation agreement on behalf of both parties. Under the agreement, collaboration will focus on developing innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems to bolster Shandong University's regional innovation ecosystem. Leveraging the premium resources of University of Cambridge and Cambridge Enterprise, specialized training will be provided for Shandong University's key teaching, research, and administrative staff. Joint international talent development programs will be launched to enhance students' global perspectives and international competence.
During the visit, the delegation held discussions with heads of Centre for Advanced Photonics and Electronics, Cambridge Enterprise Limited, the University's Strategic Partnerships Office, and Needham Research Institute. Exchanges centred on optimizing innovation and entrepreneurship environments, sustainable campus development and zero-carbon campus construction, cultivating top-tier talent, and expanding staff capacity-building programs. The delegation also visited Cambridge Science Park,Ray Dolby Centre (Cavendish Laboratory Phase III), and Cambridge Graphene Centre, learning from Cambridge University's advanced practices and exemplary approaches in collaborative innovation between industry, academia, and research, particularly in start-up incubation and the commercialization of scientific achievements.
Heads of Personnel Department, Undergraduate School, Departmentof International Affairs, and School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Shandong University participated in the activities.
Cambridge Enterprise Limitedstands as one of Shandong University's most significant partners. The two institutions commenced collaborative efforts in 2017 to establish School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, SDU, renewing their Memorandum of Understanding in 2023 to extend the initial phase of cooperation. This renewal signifies a new phase in their pioneering, in-depth collaboration within the field of innovation and transformation.
