International and china

It is too good an experience to not share with others, so I am writing to share what I’m learning while in China.

I’m part of a joint delegation from North Carolina to China. The delegation has three sub-groups: individuals from North Carolina State University, the Research Triangle Park and Wake County North Carolina, and EDUCAUSE. 

There was a clear plan for the groups to come together the synergy between universities, business, and economic development and the key role of information technology globalization, and making rapid advances possible. Each group had a goal of exploring relationships in their own respective communities universities, IT, and business. But many activities were joint, reflecting the key role the Triangle research universities (NC State University, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and Duke University) have in fostering business and economic development in North Carolina, particularly the Research Triangle Park area. As we are learning, the Research Triangle Park model as well as the university’s role in fostering innovation and economic development is replicated in China.

Many times we tell ourselves that the key to US competitiveness is innovation. Visiting China makes one realize that we aren’t the only society focused on innovation.

For example, at a session held at Tsinghua Science Park we learned that China has 42.8 million people involved in science and technology with R&D expenditures approaching $200 billion RMB; 2.5% of GNP is invested in science and technology. As they explained their science and technology approach we learned that their goal is to create an innovative nation and increase proprietary innovations, leapfrogging developments in key fields. To do that they are investing in both basic and applied research and facilitating business-university partnerships.

In China there massive programs for high technology research and basic research. In addition to research and development they are creating the capacity for science and technology commercialization, including the promotion of small and medium sized businesses. In addition, multinational corporations had over 750 R&D units in China in 2005, 90% of which are in either Beijing or Shanghai.