May 12, 2008. Shanghai - The China Europe International Business School and Zhangjiang Innovation Institute today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the CEIBS Zhangjiang Centre for Innovative Entrepreneurship (CZCIE).
The ceremony was attended by high-ranking municipal government officials such as Party Secretary of Shanghai Pudong New District Mr. Xu Lin, who delivered a speech. Executive President of CEIBS Dr. Pedro Nueno and Executive Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Zhangjiang Group Mr. Liu Xiaolong -- the respective representatives during the signing -- held brief talks before the official ceremony. The participants also included Deputy Director of Shanghai Education Committee Mr. Mo Fuchun, and Officer of Pudong New Area Committee on Science and Technology Mr. Zhu Xudong.
Executive President of CEIBS Dr. Pedro Nueno and Executive Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Zhangjiang Group Mr. Liu Xiaolong sign an MOU to establish the CEIBS Zhangjiang Centre for Innovative Entrepreneurship (CZCIE).
The CEIBS-Shanghai Zhangjiang Group collaboration will oversee the establishment of the CZCIE -- a research institute for innovation, located within Zhanjiang Hi-Tech Park (ZJHTP), which is part of the Shanghai Zhangjiang Group. Combined with CEIBS’ abundant faculty resources and the equally impressive track record of the Zhanjiang Innovation Institute, the CZCIE will introduce world-class theories and practices on technology/knowledge-based entrepreneurship, and conduct in-depth research with practical implications for China’s innovative entrepreneurship.
Ms. Liu Zhengyi, Deputy Director of the Pudong New District Government, pointed out that establishing the CZCIE will be mutually beneficial for CEIBS and the Zhangjiang Group. She believes that with the efforts of both sides, the Centre is sure to be successful.
During a speech delivered on behalf of the school, CEIBS President Zhu Xiaoming expressed appreciation for the support shown by State leaders and Shanghai Pudong New District leaders. He also gave a brief overview of other CEIBS collaborations in the areas of research, consulting, and training.
Executive Vice President of Shanghai Zhangjiang Innovation Institute Mr. Sun Chongli has high expectations of CZCIE and noted that, the “CEIBS Zhangjiang Centre’s goal is to foster a favourable environment for innovative entrepreneurship and serve as the incubator for innovative entrepreneurship projects.”
From left: CEIBS President Zhu Xiaoming, CEIBS Executive President Dr. Pedro Nueno, Party Secretary of Shanghai Pudong New District Mr. Xu Lin and Deputy Director of the Pudong New District Government Ms. Liu Zhengyi.
Dr. Pedro Nueno, who will serve as director of the CZCIE, gave more details about the purpose of founding such a Centre. He said, ”Business schools, in addition to their traditional objectives of teaching and research, are increasingly expected -- as academic institutions -- to achieve a third objective, that of positively impacting the contexts in which they are located. For CEIBS, the critical question is 'Where can we have the greatest impact?' The answer to this question unavoidably lies in working with high human capital entrepreneurs, who will typically found companies with growth intent and possibilities. These are precisely the type of entrepreneurs who are likely to be found in the ZJHTP.”
Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park
Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park (ZJHTP) was set up in 1992 in the Pudong New Area on 25 square kilometres of land. In 1999, the Shanghai Municipal Committee and the Municipal Government decided to develop ZJHTP as a cluster to promote innovation in the integrated circuits, software, and bio-medicine industries.
Nearly 16 years after it was founded, ZJHTP has developed into a vibrant hi-tech cluster, with nearly 4,500 companies, nearly USD 14 billion in foreign direct investment received, and nearly USD 70 billion in fixed asset investment. There are more than 90 R&D centres in the park, which have applied for more than 4,000 patents, with more than 20 percent having been granted. A number of incubators have been established, and there are several national industry associations located in the park. There are nearly 60 Venture Capital and Private Equity firms with offices in the park.
