Representatives from enterprises sign agreements with Jiangnan University on Nov 15. [Photo by Wang Juan/chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhang Chonghe, head of the China National Light Industry Council, urged Jiangnan University to further deepen cooperation with enterprises and explore new mechanisms with an innovative mindset.

Zhang also urged the university to promote the integration of industry and education in more fields.

A signing ceremony was held after the opening ceremony of the forum, with 65 projects being signed covering strategic cooperation with the government, regional science and technology platforms, and school-enterprise coordinated innovation. The total value of the contracts exceeded 200 million yuan ($28.82 million).

Jiangnan University, situated in Wuxi by the beautiful Taihu Lake, is a national key "211 Project" university and was selected as a "First-Class Discipline Project", falling under the Ministry of Education.

The university began its independent existence as Wuxi Institute of Light Industry in 1958. Over the past 60 years, the University has made great progress towards the strategic objective of "building itself into a research-driven university with distinctive characteristics", abiding by the motto of "learn and practice to perfection".