Tour of China

"Tour of China 2014"

Research and Innovation Awareness Raising and Information Campaign in China

Concept Paper

What is the Research & Innovation Awareness Raising and Information Campaign in China ("Tour of China 2014")?

This is a promotional "Tour" across China to introduce the European Research and Innovation programmes to Chinese stakeholders. It is organised jointly by the Chinese Authorities, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Delegation of the European Union to China and the EU Member States’ Embassies working on Research & Innovation cooperation with China.

Following on the successful previous tours carried out in 2012 and 2013, very welcomed and attended by more than 1000 Chinese stakeholders in total, the "Tour of China 2014" shall attract even more researchers and innovators and thus broadly disseminate the information in China demonstrating the very many opportunities for Research and Innovation collaboration of mutual interest between Europe and China offered by the European Commission and the European Union Member States.

The Tour of China 2014 will take lessons learned from the previous 2 years into good account and hence allow this year's event to be more strategic, more targeted and effective, so as to truly demonstrating the excellence of the European research area to China.

The 2014 Tour of China will consist of two main parts:

1) A series of seminars at different CAS institutes throughout China to present European policies and instruments of the European side to foster EU-China Research & Innovation collaboration, through e.g. joint projects and researchers' mobility schemes.

2) A parallel series of individual events and seminars organised alongside major research and innovation related events in China or upon invitation from other organisations, e.g. provincial / municipal S&T Commissions, Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology or other Chinese and European organisations.

Objective of the "Tour of China 2014"

The objective of this third edition of the “Tour of China” is to further enlarge the scope of existing research and innovation cooperation between the European Union and China, provide a more thematic focus of collaboration opportunities and to further strengthen EU China bilateral relations in a more strategic way. Overall, it is hoped that the “Tour of China” will help further boost the visibility of research and innovation collaboration between European and China and consolidate Europe's position as THE strong partner for China in these fields.

A better knowledge and understanding of the European policies and instruments for international research and innovation collaboration at national and European level, development of new contacts, deeper and broader insights into new fields of mutual interests (scientific excellence, industry competitiveness, societal challenges…) will contribute to the widening of existing cooperation and to the development of new synergies between Europe and China.

Where will the events take place?

Part 1)

The first series of events will be hosted by CAS institutes all through China.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences has been chosen as partner for the 2014 Tour of China. CAS is not only one of the most important bilateral collaboration partners for the EU Member States, CAS including all its institutes is also the Chinese institution with the most participations in the EU's Framework Programme (previous FP7) (compared with other Chinese institutions involved). CAS enjoys an excellent public image and is has a profound and significant track record of excellence in science, research and development in China.

The exact number of CAS institutes to be visited (proposed 9 events), the locations of these institutes and dates for the events are to be decided in agreement with the International Office of the Chinese Academy of Science.

The TOUR OF CHINA 2014 is proposed to lead through the following cities:

· Beijing

· Shanghai, Suzhou, Hefei

· Chengdu, Kunming

· Xiamen, Shenzhen, Guangzhou

Part 2)

The second series of events (probably 6 or 7 events) will take place in top cities in China in terms of research and innovation making use of major research and innovation related events and upon invitation from Chinese central/local authorities and other important stakeholders.

A few events are already tentatively foreseen but yet to be confirmed:

· In collaboration with the Beijing Science and Technology Commission, on technology transfers (done).

· In collaboration with the MoST Science and Technology Talent Centre, on mobility.

Event format

Part 1)

The events in the selected CAS institutes will be of "Seminar style", with the following elements, organised by the relevant institute and the event coordinator (EU Member State or Associated Country), as main contact points for each event:

· Welcome speech and presentation of the overall objectives of the "Research & Innovation awareness raising and information campaign in China", by the Chinese Authorities and the European event coordinator.

· Series of presentations of bilateral Research & Innovation cooperation programmes, by representatives of the EU Member States (when appropriate, focusing on the Research and Innovation areas covered by the CAS Institute hosting the event)

· Presentation of Horizon 2020, (by either EU delegation staff or by Member State representative)

· Q&A

· Networking refreshments or lunch (cost dependent)

In addition to the main seminar, the Tour of China event shall ideally consist of the following additional elements:

· A round-table meeting with Chinese management representatives of relevant institutions including CAS and other local key universities and institutions of the Province / Municipality visited. The participation to these meetings is limited in numbers but focused on key decision-making personnel who can act as multipliers of the information, f.i. directors, deans, key research personnel, chief of scientific offices etc.

· A visit through CAS institute or to other scientifically interesting venues in the city and introduction to the state of collaboration of the institute.

· A meeting with local authorities of the city or municipality, like S&T Commission, would be strongly encouraged and deemed highly beneficial for the success of the Tour.

· A promotion table (B2B style) for each participating Member State during the coffee breaks to present the country.

Part 2)

The event co-organised with other Chinese partners will in principle follow the same format, with the difference that the presentations will focus on dedicated subjects and thematic areas.

Who is involved?

· Organisers: The Delegation of the European Union to China and the EU Member States’ Embassies working on Research & Innovation cooperation with China (Science Counsellors) together with Chinese Academy of Sciences and organising partners.

The Embassy of Italy has kindly agreed to take over the overall coordination of the Tour. Each location will further have an event coordinator – to be selected among the EU Member States and Associated Countries. The EU Delegation will support the overall organisation of the "Tour of China 2014".

· Speakers and speakers' roles:

· Beijing-based Research & Innovation Counsellors of the Delegation of the European Union to China and of the EU Member States’ Embassies, or their Scientific Attachés posted across China, as well as Representatives of EU national or regional research programmes.

· They may play several roles, such as:

· Participate in the preparation of the seminars and visits (Event coordinator)

· Present their national and EU research & innovation programmes and opportunities offered for collaboration with Chinese Researchers and Innovators

· Present "Horizon 2020" the new European framework programme for Research & Innovation

· Publicise events among contacts

· Meet with local Authorities

· Representatives of Chinese funding ministries / institutions in the fields of Research & Innovation are equally welcomed to join the Tour. They may wish to present the collaboration and funding schemes offered by China.

· Target Audience: Chinese and European researchers and innovators, professors, deans, faculty, doctoral and post-doctoral students, representatives of enterprises involved in Research & Innovation, etc.

· The participation of industry, in particular SMEs, is very much welcomed in order to give proper attention to the dimension of innovation.

· The participation to the events shall be open to other institutions of the selected location.

Timing and duration

· Visit to CAS institutes: from April to end-June

· Other events: Throughout the entire year 2014

Costs and Cost effectiveness

The costs of the Tour will be low when compared with the potential for high reward.

· The host institution is supposed to bear the organizational costs at the location.

· The EU Delegation and the EU Member states will cover their own travel and subsistence expenses;

· The participation to the events will be free of charge.

Visibility

· Press coverage: press conference, press releases to science media and local press, interviews

· The EU Delegation to China and the EU Member States Embassies will publicise the event through their websites, newsletters etc.

· The Chinese host institution is expected to widely publicize the event within the location to other relevant institutions

Information package

· All presentations, brochures and leaflets will be available via the EU Delegation's and European Embassies' websites

· As much as possible, memory sticks with all presentations, brochures and leaflets will be distributed to the audience

Venue and registration of participants

Offered by the host institutions (CAS institutes for the first part of the Tour, and Universities, Research institutions, Science parks, etc. for the second part)

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