Date: 2010-10-29 Visitcount: 1641
From October 27 to October29, 2010, the International Conference on “The Quest for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Asia and Pacific Region: Strategies and Responses of Higher Education” was successfully held in the College of Education at Zhejiang University. This international conference was co-organized by the UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship Education at Zhejiang University, the Centre for Greater China Studies, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Zhejiang University Seeco Educational Research Center and the Dr. Winter Foundation. Specialists and delegates from America, the U.K., Australia, Japan, Italy, Singapore, Korea, Switzerland and China, amounting to 80 attendees, participated in this conference.
Professor Zhang Xi, Chairman of Zhejiang University Council, participated in the conference and made the Congratulatory Remarks. He pointed out that innovation and entrepreneurship provide a way to generate renewed economic growth and social development. As the cradle of talent cultivation, higher education institutions should enhance their capacity for independent innovation. He hopes that Zhejiang University can enhance her cooperation with world class universities based on the platform of the UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship Education at Zhejiang University.
Professor Xu Xiaozhou, Deputy Dean of College of Education, Zhejiang University and the Holder of UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship Education at Zhejiang University, Professor Carlo Socol, Co-director of Zhejiang University Seeco Educational Research Center, and Professor Ka Ho Mok, Vice President (External Relations) & Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, The Hong Kong Institute of Education presented the welcome addresses.
During the conference, experts and delegates discussed innovation and entrepreneurship policies both in and beyond Asia and the Pacific Region, experience of innovation and entrepreneurship education in different countries, as well as the responses and reforms of higher education institutions to better meet social demands. Professor Aki Yonezawa from Tohoku University, Japan, Professor Pak Tee Ng from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Professor Anthony Welch from University of Sydney, Australia, Professor Andy Green from the Institute of Education, University of London, Professor Elio Borgonovi from Bocconi University, Italy, and many others shared their latest research with the attendees.
This conference further expressed the importance of cultivating innovative and entrepreneurial talents to enhance national competitiveness. It allowed attendees to share the experiences of different countries and put forward suggestions to both government and universities.