On August 16th, the CBBC UK Alumni-Industry Series Forum held its inaugural event, “Design Innovation and Industry Integration,” in Shenzhen. This event was supported by the Qianhai International Cooperation Center, Honor, and UK university alumni chapters and associations, including those from University College London, the University of Exeter, the University of Glasgow, the University of Sheffield, the University of Sussex, and the University of Westminster. The forum brought together industry experts and alumni representatives to share their insights on design innovation and industry integration. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the global challenges and opportunities in innovative design, fostering collaboration and resource sharing.

Tom Simpson, Managing Director, China Operations, & China Chief Representative, China-Britain Business Council, delivered video address.

Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability at the University of Westminster; Emily Howie, Head of Alumni & Supporter Engagement at the University of Glasgow; and Wenjie Li, President of the University of Exeter China Alumni Association, delivered welcome addresses.

The Honor representative highlighted that Honor Device Co., as a global leader in smart terminals, views ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) as a core element of its long-term strategy. Honor focus on seven strategic areas, including environmental sustainability, technology for good, privacy and security, and youth empowerment. In its business practices, Honor continues to promote the steady implementation of ESG governance and empowerment initiatives. The company emphasised its commitment to human-centric technological innovation and the principle of sustainable development, aiming to provide consumers with an enhanced user experience continuously.

Youth empowerment, one of the key pillars of Honor’s ESG strategy, has been deeply embedded in the brand’s activities. The "HONOR Talents Global Youth Program" has become a platform for young people worldwide to showcase their talents. Over the past four years, it has reached more than 240 universities across 40 countries and regions, with over 25,000 submissions. Looking ahead, Honor will continue to drive industry development through innovation and collaborate with global partners to promote progress and sustainability in the smart terminal sector.

Haoyang Yuan, alumnus of the University of Sheffield, Director of Smart City Projects at Shenzhen Five Continents International Exchange Center, discussed the fusion of industrial design and digital management, drawing on his professional journey from architect to digital management director. Yuan noted the rapid transformation occurring within the industry, emphasizing that innovation in design is not solely about technological breakthroughs but also about a deep understanding and response to user needs. He pointed out that companies must consider the practical value and market demand of their designs to achieve meaningful industry innovation. Yuan also underscored the significance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in driving innovation, leveraging resources and expertise from various fields to better address industry challenges and capture new market opportunities.

Following the keynote presentations, six panellists engaged in the discussion on the international challenges and opportunities of design innovation and industry integration. Drawing on their diverse professional backgrounds and industry experiences, panellists provided valuable insights into the current state and future prospects of innovation design and industry integration.

Dr. Yu Wang, Harvard PhD in Biomedical Science and founder of the DeSci Sino community, shared his experience in establishing an open science community that integrates science with art, making scientific knowledge more accessible to the public. He spoke about leveraging Web 3.0 technology to create cancer patient communities, empowering patients to transition from passive recipients of treatment to active participants in drug development. Wang also examined innovative approaches to data ownership and profit sharing. In addressing the challenges Web 3.0 faces in China, he advocated for the destigmatization of the technology through scientific engagement and emphasized the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration to drive co-creation and market-oriented initiatives, thereby enhancing public involvement.

Haoyang Yuan, University of Sheffield alumnus underscored the significance of standardized design in end-user applications, using a case study on modular architecture for student accommodation as an example. He encouraged entrepreneurs to take a pragmatic approach to design innovation and industry integration, focusing on manageable projects and progressing incrementally. By continuously iterating and evolving, they can better align with market demands and stakeholders, thereby ensuring the sustainable development and success of their projects.

Professor Xu Li, Associate Dean at the SUS Tech School of Design, offered an insightful overview of the school’s background and distinctive features, while addressing the current landscape of innovation design in China and its associated challenges. She pointed out that the school’s innovation design courses often prioritize technology, with the goal of nurturing designers capable of mastering disruptive technologies—a key reason behind the establishment of the design school at SUS (Southern University of Science and Technology). Professor Li also discussed the cultural hurdles in advancing innovation design in China, such as the difficulty in realising the true value of design and the lack of a conducive environment for innovation. From an educational standpoint, she emphasized the importance of the foundational logic of design education and strategies to navigate uncertainty, asserting that design education should prepare students to respond to future societal developments. Through close collaboration with industry, students should not only grasp the core principles of design but also remain flexible and responsive to future changes.

Professor Da Che, Director of the Shenzhen University Innovation Lab of Art and Technology, highlighted his extensive commitment to innovation and design, drawing on his experience at Shenzhen University. He outlined the lab’s research into art information collection, storage, and visualization design, illustrating how digital technology can be leveraged to preserve and transform traditional culture, such as the patterns of Chinese intangible cultural heritage and the ancient songs of ethnic minorities. Professor Che also elaborated on the lab’s collaborative projects with countries in Africa and Southeast Asia, focusing on the digital transformation of traditional culture. He emphasized the challenges and opportunities that China faces within the broader context of cultural tourism integration and globalization.

The Honor representative outlined Honor’s efforts in the fields of innovation and social responsibility, highlighting their collaboration with young designers and universities to promote the integration of industry and education, thereby fostering product innovation and talent development. Furthermore, Honor is committed to working with industry, academia, and research partners to address consumer needs through a "technology for good" approach. This includes developing AI technology to protect eyesight and focusing on the specific needs of the elderly and people with disabilities. As a challenger in the industry, Honor continues to innovate while actively fulfilling its social responsibilities, aiming to use technology to enhance well-being for a broader audience.

The CBBC UK Alumni-Industry Forum series brought together alumni from multiple UK universities, representatives from various industry organisations, and CBBC members. Experts from different fields shared their cutting-edge explorations in design innovation and industry integration, offering new insights and perspectives through multi-dimensional discussions.

Looking ahead, CBBC plans to host more industry-themed alumni events, and we welcome the participation of industry professionals and university alumni to explore key industry topics, deepen exchanges and collaboration, and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future.

We extend our sincere thanks to the supporters of this event:

The CBBC Alumni-Industry Forum Series will continue to take place in various cities across China. If you are interested in participating as a UK university alumni association or a related industry organisation, please contact Aria.Li@cbbc.org.