Recently, the 2024 International Conference on the Cooperation and Integration of Industry, Education, Research, and Application (Henan) - Material Innovation and Development: Forum for the High-End Functional Materials and Advanced Metal Material Forming and Processing took place at Zhengzhou University of Light Industry (ZZULI), Zhengzhou. This event was hosted by the National Center for Schooling Development Programme and co-organized by the Education Department of Henan Province and Henan Education Association for International Exchange, with the support from Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhongyuan University of Technology, Anyang Normal University, Henan University of Engineering, Xuchang University, and Huanghe S&T University. Zhou Zhaoxia, Deputy Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Education Department of Henan Province, and Professor Wei Shizhong, President of ZZULI, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Nearly 200 people, including responsible persons from the President's Office, the International Cooperation and Exchange Department, the Office of Disciplinary Affairs, the Department of Science and Technology, the Graduate School and other relevant departments of ZZULI, core teachers from the College of Material and Chemical Engineering and relevant faculties, and representatives from universities, research institutes and enterprises at home and abroad, attended the event. The opening ceremony was chaired by Zhang Cheng, Vice President of ZZULI.

The event was held both online and offline, with the theme of Deep Integration of Industry, Education, Research, and Application; Multi-dimensional Cooperation for Quality Enhancement and Empowerment. It is designed to delve into the current status of high-end functional material and advanced metal material forming and processing industry, share research findings by Chinese and international experts and scholars, and promote global partnerships to innovate the systems and models for high-level talent cultivation in the way that fosters new growth drivers and strengths. This conference provided valuable insights for industries in Henan.

Zhou Zhaoxia expressed in his speech that the CPC Henan Provincial Committee and the People's Government of Henan Province attach great importance to the integrated development, implementing the ten strategies such as Being driven by innovation, invigorating Henan through science and education, and strengthening Henan with talents, forming an innovation framework and a talent hub to support the high-quality growth of a modern Henan.

Professor Wei Shizhong stated, in his opening remarks, that hosting this conference demonstrates ZZULI's commitment to its distinctive and dominant disciplines, as well as its mission and responsibility of serving national strategies and enhancing public welfare. Taking this opportunity, ZZULI would double its efforts to establish a synergistic system that integrates industry, education, research and application focusing on high-end functional material and advanced metal material forming and processing. Aligned with the strategy of Smart China, Beautiful China, ZZULI is tackling technical challenges to fuel Henan's industrial and economic growth.

Zhu Meifang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor at Donghua University, and Professor Seeram Ramakrishna, foreign Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, delivered keynote speeches at the conference. Experts and scholars from universities, research institutions and enterprises at home and abroad such as Harbin Institute of Technology, Nankai University, Zhengzhou University, National University of Singapore, Carnegie Mellon University, Queensland University of Technology in Australia, Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, Henan Academy of Sciences, and Hanwei Group Co., Ltd. presented reports and had in-depth discussions at the conference.

The success of the conference lays a foundation for providing a platform for cooperation among domestic and international universities, research institutes and enterprises. This will help the upgrading of high-end functional materials and advanced metal materials and deep integration of industry, education, research and application in Henan Province.