In the UK, the University of Nottingham have six “Beacons of Excellence”, which bring together hundreds of researchers who are experts in different fields to tackle six of today’s pressing global challenges. 

In order to scale up research and innovation capacity in Ningbo, and to help develop better solutions the challenges facing China and the world, the city of Ningbo will be working with the University of Nottingham on a major new initiative, the Beacons of Excellence Innovation Institute, which will primarily address three prominent issues – Smart Manufacturing, Green Chemicals and Energy, Life Science and Health Care, all of which are closely connected with local development goals.

The shared vision between the University and Ningbo is that the new institute and associated programmes will become a world-class innovation platform for the city, where pioneering research results are generated, local solutions delivered, and high-quality talents cultivated.

Over the coming months, the University of Nottingham will be working with the city to develop its plans for the Institute, agree the areas of focus and seek to formally launch the initiative in the autumn of 2019, bringing to a close the year of celebrations for UNNC’s 15th anniversary.