From 12 to 16 September, the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) was held in Beijing. Professor Jon Garibaldi, Provost of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), was invited to attend the CIFTIS Forum on the Transformation and the Investment & Financing Transactions of Research Achievements of Universities, where he delivered a keynote speech. UNNC was also specially invited to participate in the International Education Services Exhibition.

In a congratulatory letter to this year’s CIFTIS, President Xi Jinping pointed out that the CIFTIS reflects the high-quality development of China’s service industry and trade in services, making a positive contribution to building an open world economy. This year's fair attracted participation from over 80 countries and international organisations, with more than 420 Fortune Global 500 companies presenting on site, making it a large-scale and highly anticipated event.

As the opening keynote speaker, Professor Jon Garibaldi introduced his vision for UNNC to construct a globally engaged innovation and enterprising ecosystem to enable research to do social good. He elaborated on a three-layered ecosystem driven by the university's  endeavour to exploit research achievements forreal world impact at the core, enabled by the Li Dak Sum Incubator providing innovation and entrepreneurship services in the middle layer, while providing a "soft landing" service for overseas talent and businesses at the outer layer.

Additionally, Professor Garibaldi shared the vision of the University of Nottingham to become a "university without border", with a mission to "gather global wisdom to solve local challenges". He also provided specific examples of how research outputs are being applied. For example, the key project “Development of 1.5T cryogen-free superconducting magnets” led by Dr Chengbo Wang in collaboration with Ningbo XGY company as a key R&D initiative from the Ministry of Science and Technology, has achieved transformative results. The world’s first rotatable MRI scanner has just been awarded the national Innovative Medical Device registration certificate from National Medical Product Administration and was granted for listing on market. This pioneering achievement not only marks a global first but also frees MRI production and clinical application from the significant constraints of helium supply. Additionally, UNNC’s high-performance motor drive systems and smart port projects have effectively driven local development and injected new vitality into addressing global issues.

Professor Garibaldi's keynote and the global ecosystem he envisaged for technology transfer attracted wide interest from the participants and media interest., He was interviewed by CCTV and China Education Television to share his views on how UNNC, as the first Sino-foreign university aims for deliver research impact through research achievements transformation, international education cooperation, and the role UNNC plays to contribute to China’s new quality productivity and service trade growth. Professor Garibaldi’s insights provided new perspectives and ideas, helping professionals in related fields better understand how to drive technological innovation and promote international education cooperation.

Moreover, at the CIFTIS International Education Services section, UNNC, as a model of Sino-foreign university, attracted the attention of government agencies, enterprises, and institutions both domestically and abroad. The university not only fully displayed its unique educational philosophy and abundant educational achievements, but also showcased cutting-edge research outputs, including metal 3D printed products.

With over 20 years of excellence in research and teaching, UNNC has established long-term partnerships with over 4,000 well-known domestic and international enterprises and research institutions across 120 countries and regions worldwide, achieving significant accomplishments in areas such as green energy, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and digital technologies. As the first Sino-foreign university in China, UNNC will continue to promote technological innovation and transformation, empowering both domestic and global economic development.