On January 8, Zhang Wanshun, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of China Poly Group, led a delegation from Poly Sinolight, and its subsidiaries including China Haisum, CHAINT, and China National Pulp and Paper Research Institute, to visit South China University of Technology (SCUT), for the purpose of conducting in-depth discussions on cooperation between the university and the company in the areas of scientific research and industrialization, intelligent manufacturing, and engineering services.

Zhang Xichun, Secretary of the Party Committee of SCUT, Xu Yong, Vice President of SCUT, and Jiang Xinghua, Secretary of the Party Committee of Huangpu Research Institute and Vice President of the Institute of Science and Technology; Yu Xiaodong, Director of Strategic Investment Center and President of the Strategic Research Institute of China Poly Group, Guo Tao, Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Information Center, and Wang Jiangfeng, Deputy Director of the HR Management Center; Zhao Guoang, Deputy General Manager of Poly Sinolight, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of China Haisum, and Chen Rongrong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of China Haisum; Li Jiehui, General Manager of CHAINT; Tian Chao, Deputy General Manager of China National Pulp and Paper Research Institute and other leaders participated in the exchange activities.

During the meeting, Zhang Wanshun mentioned that SCUT is a nationally renowned university known for its strength in science and engineering. It is considered as the "cradle for entrepreneurs and engineers". China Poly Group is a large enterprise group with diversified businesses covering material life in clothing, food, housing, and transportation, as well as spiritual and cultural life in various areas. Poly Sinolight, as a technology service-oriented enterprise group developed from the former major industrial research institute and design institute under the Ministry of Light Industry, also had close contact and cooperation with SCUT in areas such as technological innovation and talent cultivation. To further strengthen the communication and cooperation with SCUT, Zhang Wanshun pointed out the following tips:

First, deepen cooperation in the pulp and paper industry to create a high-end, intelligent, and green development model in traditional industries.

As an important raw material industry for the national economy, the pulp and paper industry is considered as a "heavy industry" in the light industry. Therefore, the enterprise and the SCUT should strengthen cooperation in this field, carry out research and innovation in process technology, core equipment, and engineering technology in the industry, and make a series practical and high-value scientific and technological achievements.

Second, pool efforts to promote the pilot program for cultivation of masters and doctors of engineering with high quality.

It is not only a pilot task assigned by the state, but also a practical requirement for talent cultivation in universities and enterprises to promote the cultivation of masters and doctors of engineering. The talent cultivation program shall attach more importance to the industrial technological needs, corporate development strategies, research directions of supervisors, and the interests of students in terms of research topics. More emphasis shall be placed on the education on in-depth applied research and development projects, pilot scale production, and industrial practice.

Third, leverage the strengths of university and enterprise to further strengthen innovation in industry-university-research cooperation.

With the rapid development of the light industry into a stage of accelerated transformation, there is an urgent need for the application of scientific and technological achievements, and that makes it necessary for both the university and the enterprise to emphasize complementing each other's strengths, diversifying cooperation forms, and deepening cooperation by exerting joint efforts for industrial upgrading. They shall also strengthen cooperation in areas such as sharing scientific and technological resources, setting new research directions, conducting technical and commercial validation of scientific and technological achievements, project incubation, and mutual exchange of industrial resources. By doing so, both parties can create a conducive environment for innovation.

During the meeting, Hu Jian, the Director of the National Engineering Research Center of Papermaking & Pollution Control, made a report on the status quo and development of paper-based materials. Yu Xiaodong introduced the historical evolution and development of Poly Group. Zhao Guoang introduced the main business of Poly Sinolight and China Haisum, with a focus on highlighting the advantages of China Haisum in digitalization, intelligent manufacturing, and the pulp and paper industry. Zhao Guoang stated that Poly Sinolight and China Haisum have been committed to promoting the development of China's paper industry and will continue to increase investment in scientific and technological research and innovation, so as to support the transformation and upgrading and make greater contributions to the development of the pulp and paper industry.

Xu Yong warmly welcomed the delegation from Poly Group and expressed gratitude for their support to SCUT. He introduced the advantages of the university in scientific research and talent cultivation, and expressed his hope to collaborate with Poly Group and its affiliated enterprises to build a "national team" for green manufacturing, intelligent manufacturing, and high-end manufacturing technology in the pulp and paper industry, for the purpose of promoting the high-quality development of China's pulp and paper industry.

Zhang Xichun expressed that this exchange activity has injected more impetus and confidence into deepening their cooperation. He looks forward to achieving cooperation in more fields and jointly promoting the development and innovation of China's paper industry.

During the meeting period, these leaders visited the National Engineering Research Center of Papermaking & Pollution Control, History Museum of South China University of Technology and the Huagong Paper-based Material Innovation Institute in Huangpu District, Guangzhou. Leaders from the Institute of Science and Technology, School of Light Industry and Engineering of SCUT, and National Engineering Research Center of Papermaking & Pollution Control, the heads of relevant departments of Poly Group and Poly Sinolight, as well as the main leaders of China Haisum Shanghai headquarters, CEC, and GDE, as well as the heads of relevant departments of the headquarters, participated in the exchange activities.