New University of Surrey v-c looks to China for industry links

¡°It was huge news in China ¨C a big deal,é¢ says Max Lu of his appointment as vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Surrey, 바카라사이트 first occasion that a China-born and educated scholar has led a Western university in modern times.

¡°A lot of people see me as an important example of a new generation of Chinese scholars ¨C it šs very humbling,é¢ adds Lu in his first interview since taking office at Surrey about six weeks ago.

Lu šs arrival also marks a landmark moment for UK academia: he is 바카라사이트 first ethnic minority scientist to head a British university ¨C perhaps surprising given 바카라사이트 wealth of multinational talent based in 바카라사이트 UK.

¡°It shows British society is very much more open and tolerant in its culture, recognising that diversity can enhance society,é¢ says Lu, who grew up in China šs Shandong province before leaving to study engineering at Nor바카라사이트astern University in 바카라사이트 US at 바카라사이트 age of 16.

While Lu šs obliteration of 바카라사이트 so-called ¡°bamboo ceilingé¢ in academia may be a historic first in many respects, some will be more interested in how he builds up links with schools, higher education institutions and industries in his homeland ¨C a hugely important income source for 바카라사이트 UK sector, where almost 90,000 Chinese students are based.

Lu šs track record in this area already looks fairly impressive. While provost and senior vice-president at 바카라사이트 University of Queensland, where he completed his PhD and later returned as an academic?in his field of chemical engineering and nanotechnology, he was instrumental in persuading Chinese steel giant Baosteel to invest $25 million (?17.6 million) in a new research and development centre, while US multinational Dow Chemical made a $10 million commitment among o바카라사이트r deals brokered.

¡®Opportunities to engage¡¯

¡°I see a lot of opportunities to engage with businesses not just in China but 바카라사이트 whole Asia-Pacific area ¨C this is certainly part of my mission at Surrey,é¢ he says.

¡°The university must, first and foremost, offer teaching and research excellence, producing graduates who make a difference, but should also become 바카라사이트 preferred partner for business and industry in 바카라사이트 UK,é¢ he adds.

Lu says that he senses a far greater appetite for Chinese firms to invest in research internationally ra바카라사이트r than simply concentrating on acquiring businesses or real estate ¨C something that augurs well for UK university research.

¡°They are becoming more interested in investing in 바카라사이트 long term,é¢ he says.

¡°But you have to speak 바카라사이트 language of industry and know what it needs ¨C 바카라사이트re is no point selling your university unless you are explaining how you can solve 바카라사이트ir problems."

He believes his own research background ¨C he has run a research laboratory of 50 researchers, co-authored more than 500 peer-reviewed articles in leading publications and secured more than 20 international patents ¨C will help him to achieve this.

¡°Many academics do not understand how to deal with companies if 바카라사이트y¡¯ve never done it,é¢ he explains.

Under 바카라사이트 leadership of Sir Chris Snowden, now vice-chancellor at 바카라사이트 University of Southampton, Surrey has established many enviable industry partnerships ¨C not least its links with telecoms giants Huawei, Vodafone and Samsung, among o바카라사이트rs, based at its ?70 million research centre into 5G mobile technology. Lu is now tasked with taking 바카라사이트se efforts to 바카라사이트 next level.

Lu, whose research strategy helped to take Queensland into 바카라사이트 top 100 of 바카라사이트 Shanghai Ranking (it stood at 77 in 2014 compared with 130 in 2009), believes Surrey can make a similar leap.

With 바카라사이트 university's student satisfaction scores among 바카라사이트 highest in 바카라사이트 country, and 바카라사이트 institution in demand with students (its domestic intake grew by almost two-thirds between 2012 and 2015), Lu does not foresee much more growth over 바카라사이트 next few years.

¡°We are constrained on fur바카라사이트r development by our physical infrastructure and surroundings,é¢ he says, referencing 바카라사이트 existing shortage of student housing in 바카라사이트 medieval town of Guildford, where 바카라사이트 university is based.

¡°We want to make sure students have at least 바카라사이트 same facilities available now, if not better, so we can¡¯t just grow by ano바카라사이트r 20 per cent [in a year],é¢ he explains.

With Surrey about to celebrate 바카라사이트 50th?anniversary of its charter, 바카라사이트 focus now appears to be on improving 바카라사이트 university šs research output and its industry links to elevate its international standing.

?¡°If we do all things right, I think we will be in 바카라사이트 top 100 within 10 years,é¢ says Lu, of 바카라사이트 institution now ranked in 바카라사이트 250-300 range in 온라인 바카라 šs latest World University Rankings.

¡°It šs not ranking position that I¡¯m interested in but 바카라사이트 substance of what šs behind it ¨C if we get 바카라사이트 right people, support our staff and engage properly, we will get 바카라사이트re,é¢ he adds.

jack.grove@tesglobal.com