An MOU for collaboration on an unprecedented scale was signed between Tel Aviv University and the elite Tsinghua University in China
Under the MOU, a unique joint research center will be established and named the XIN Center.XIN will recruit the best minds in Israel and China as well as the rest of world, and will include input from academia and industry in creating projects that will meet mutual national challenges.
In the framework of the XIN project, an investment fund will be established to seed ventures initiated by XIN Fellows. The fund of 100 million RMB will be set up by Infinity Group. Investors in the fund will include the Beijing government and alumni of Tsinghua University.
Professor Joseph Klafter, President of Tel Aviv University, and Professor Chen Jining, President of Tsinghua University, signed an MOU for collaboration on an unprecedented scale in Beijing, China (on Tuesday, September 10, 2013), in the presence of Israel Ambassador to China, Mr. Matan Vilnai, and leaders of the Israeli business community in Beijing.
According to the MOU, Tel Aviv University and Tsinghua University will pursue a strategic cooperation in innovative research and education for the mutual benefit of both institutions and nations. The two universities intend to co-establish a unique joint center, named the XIN Center, as an international hub for scientific and technical innovation. XIN ("new" in Chinese) will advance interdisciplinary research, provide optimal conditions for creativity, and promote activity in fields that can truly impact society in both countries and the entire world.
The research center will initially focus on fields which enjoy accelerated development both in Israel and in China such as nanotechnology, but in time it will expand to other fields of science. The Center will aspire to provide an answer to grand challenges and its projects will work toward combining forces with the high-tech industry.
When excellence meets innovation
The XIN Center will aim to recruit the top research students in the two countries as well as the rest of world. It will encourage innovation among students by giving them optimal conditions to create, develop and leverage their ideas in various areas of technology and science. The finest researchers will serve as instructors and mentors to the research students, and help them develop promising projects.
The joint research center will recruit leading international researchers. The preeminence of the human capital and resources that will be available to the XIN Center will win academic recognition internationally and partnerships with the technology industry in both countries.
Prof. Klafter noted that this is an exceptionally important agreement, opening new horizons for Israel and Israeli society. According to Prof. Klafter, the establishment of the XIN Center is evidence of the considerable esteem in which the Chinese hold Israeli innovation and the high academic standards of Tel Aviv University.
President Chen of Tsinghua University expressed the readiness of his institution to work with Tel Aviv University to push forward cross-disciplinary research and explore ways to answer global challenges. The president stressed the importance of cultivating innovative future scientists and leaders. He also noted that Tsinghua University will give full support to the XIN Center and make its due contribution to the global development of innovative research and education.
The Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Economy, Mr. Avi Hasson, noted that the cooperation agreement is an excellent model for multifaceted collaboration in our modern technological world between academic institutions and industry on an international level. "I want to congratulate all parties involved and wish upon them a fruitful and successful collaboration."
Participating in the ceremony were also Mr. Amir Gal-Or, managing partner of Infinity Group, and Dr. Chen Lichtenstein, President and CEO of China National Agrochemical Corporation (CNAC).
Captions to attached photos:
Ceremony1- Professor Joseph Klafter, President of Tel Aviv University, and Professor Chen Jining, President of Tsinghua University at the signing ceremony
Ceremony2- Professor Joseph Klafter, President of Tel Aviv University, and Professor Chen Jining, President of Tsinghua University, at the back: Matan Vilnai, Israel's ambassador to China and Dr. Avi Hasson Chief Scientist at the signing ceremony
Photo credit: Chang Zhidong
