The Institute of Creativity and Innovation (ICI) at Xiamen University is forging new paths in education through multi-dimensional collaboration. By actively deepening integration with industries and partnering with local government, ICI has achieved a series of advances in talent cultivation, industrial collaboration, regional services and other fields. These synergistic partnerships are continuously injected new impetus into ICI’s high-quality growth.
Deepening ICI-Enterprise Cooperation: Jointly Cultivating Innovative Talent
On October 14, a delegation headed by Wen Jianbei, Director and President of the R&D Department of Golden Home Cabinetry & Furniture Technology Co., Ltd., visited ICI for exchange. They were received by Dean Qin Jian, Deputy Deans Gan Senzhong and He Dongmei, as well as faculty representatives.
Dean Qin Jian outlined ICI’s current development, detailing its educational philosophy, faculty structure, and curriculum system. He emphasized the institute’s distinctive approach to education, which prioritizes process-oriented evaluation and a practice-driven learning model.
Mr. Wen Jianbei stated that he expected to realize the complementary advantages between ICI and his company through the “talent pre-cultivation” model. The two parties reached a consensus on jointly building practice bases and carrying out project cooperation, and planned to sign a cooperation agreement.
During the visit, Mr. Wen and his associates also visited ICI’s workshops, training rooms and art gallery, speaking highly of ICI’s advanced facility conditions and vibrant innovative atmosphere.
Promoting Interdisciplinary Integration: Exploring New Paths for Industry-Academia-Research Collaboration
On October 13, ICI formed a joint delegation with institutions including the Lujiang Innovation Laboratory to conduct a specialized visit to Guangzhou Frontop Computer Graphics Technology Co., Ltd. (“Frontop”), a leading enterprise in digital creativity. The visit featured in-depth exchanges on the application of cutting-edge technologies such as digital twins and digital exhibition halls.
During the meeting, Wu Suiying, President of Frontop, systematically introduced the company’s innovative achievements in frontier fields such as digital twins, digital exhibition halls, AI 3D visualization and digital multimedia. He also demonstrated their independently developed AI 3D visualization engine and digital twin platform, and shared in-depth integration case studies in areas such as in smart cities, industrial simulation, smart cultural heritage and museums.
Deputy Dean He Dongmei introduced ICI’s educational system centered on “the integration of art and science, and the merging of science and education,” detailing its educational philosophy, disciplinary strengths, research practices, and teaching and research accomplishments in fields like digital media art.
The discussions focused on the interdisciplinary field of “Marine + Technology + Art,” delving into topics such as marine technology R&D, digital cultural display, and pathways for industry-academia-research collaboration. The exchanges resulted in multiple cooperative intentions in joint R&D, project co-development, cultural dissemination, and international exchange, laying a solid foundation for further promoting interdisciplinary integration and research commercialization.
Strengthening University-Local Collaboration: Serving Regional Development
On October 20, a delegation headed by Zheng Youchu, Deputy Director of Publicity Department of the Zhangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, visited ICI. Deputy Dean He Dongmei presided over the reception, which featured in-depth discussions on enhancing the development zone’s spatial quality and shaping its urban image.
Mr. Zheng Youchu introduced the current status and development plans for urban construction in the zone. He expressed the hope to leverage ICI’s disciplinary and professional expertise to enhance regional cultural development and spatial quality. Deputy Dean He Dongmei stated that ICI would fully utilize its “cross-cultural, interdisciplinary” educational features to actively serve local socio-economic development. Both sides agreed to further refine the cooperation mechanism, detail the cooperation plan, and promote the implementation of cooperative projects. The visiting guests also toured ICI’s teaching spaces and the “Generative Ecologies” design exhibition, offering high praise for ICI’s educational outcomes and the quality of its talent cultivation.
Since its establishment, ICI has consistently adhered to a philosophy of open education, actively building a diverse and collaborative education framework. The recent cooperative exchanges represent significant steps taken by ICI to deepen industry-academia integration and serve social development. Moving forward, ICI will continue to promote the effective implementation of various cooperative initiatives, constantly enhance the quality of talent cultivation and capacity for social service, and contribute more significantly to the university’s “Double First-Class” initiative and regional socio-economic development.
