2022 Youth Innovation Talk opens in Beijing

Hosted by the Beijing Overseas Talents Center, the first session of the 2022 Youth Innovation Talk was launched on Sept 30 in Beijing, with the theme "High-Quality Development Driven by Global Innovation Cooperation". Scholars, entrepreneurs and investors from China and the US attended the event in-person or online, starting the dialogue with the topic "Technology Innovation of Education in China and the US".

In the opening remarks, Hu Yixiong, head of the Beijing Overseas Talents Center, extended a warm welcome to the global participants and expressed the necessity to enhance global cooperation to encourage youth innovation, and to boost social development. Beijing, a center of international exchanges , will better establish a platform for global dialogue and international communication.

In the keynote speech, George Smoot, winner of the Nobel prize in physics in 2006, applauded the China's STEM education system, and shared his teaching and research experience of advanced technology and science. He asserted that it's necessary to  continue to foster cross-border initiatives for academic exchange and collaborations to explore the potential of technological innovation.

Erik Luijten, professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the Northwestern University, introduced the innovation research methodology of the university, which closely combines academic endeavors and industry experience for students. He said that there will be more opportunities to collaborate with young Chinese scholars and entrepreneurs in the future in the material sciences sector.

Four young panelists joined in the panel discussion, namely EasyTransfer Co-Founder Gao Yutong,, Will Seaton, a member of the Schwarzman Scholars program of Tsinghua University, Yu Tianyi, a founding partner of Taihill Venture, and Or iLab Co-Founder Cheng Aobei. The panelists shared their experiences in cross-border entrepreneurship and investment, discussing the collaboration opportunities between China and the US, and trending industries suitable for younger generations to focus on. The panel discussion concluded with Q&A from the audience, both in-person and online.

Following the first session, the 2022 Youth Innovation Talk is scheduled to hold more future sessions covering themes such as innovation in Israel and North Europe.  More scholars, entrepreneurs and investors around the world are expected to join future discussions.