【Luojia Lecture】Professor Du Debin Lectures on the Theory and Practice of Global Science and Technology Innovation Centers

On November 8, Professor Du Debin, Director of the Division of Earth Sciences and Dean of the Institute for Global Innovation Studies at East China Normal University, member of the Management Division of the Ministry of Education Science and Technology Committee, and member of the “Future Earth” China Committee, delivered an academic lecture titled “The Theory and Practice of Global Science and Technology Innovation Centers” as the 515th Luojia lecture at Wuhan University. Professor Zhao Yaohui, Senior Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences at Wuhan University, presented him with the Luojia Forum commemorative plaque. The event was hosted by Wang Liping, Party Secretary of the School of Economics and Management.

Against the backdrop of science and technology innovation center development as a national strategy, Professor Du utilized extensive innovation data, refined geographic information technologies, and his own research experience to explain the theory and practice of global science and technology innovation centers from four aspects: What is an international science and technology innovation center, the global landscape of innovation centers, China’s position in this global landscape, and the challenges facing China’s innovation centers.

During the discussion session, faculty and students actively raised questions based on their own research interests, and Professor Du offered patient and detailed responses, creating a lively atmosphere. The forum was jointly organized by the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences and the School of Economics and Management at Wuhan University.

It is noted that Professor Du Debin is a professor in the School of Geographic Sciences at East China Normal University, Director of the Division of Earth Sciences, a national high-level talent, member of the Ministry of Education Science and Technology Committee, member of the “Future Earth” China Committee. He is also a recipient of the State Council Special Allowance. He concurrently serves as Director of the Ministry of Education Strategic Research Base—the ECNU Institute for Global Innovation and Development—and Chief Expert of the Shanghai Municipal Decision-Making Consulting Research Base “Du Debin Studio,” as well as President of the Shanghai Society for Science of Science. His research and teaching focus on science and technology innovation strategy and global political and economic geography. His representative works include Global Science and Technology Innovation Centers: Theory and Practice, Location Patterns of the Globalization of Transnational Corporations’ R&D, and China–US Technology Competitiveness Assessment Report, among others.

(Written by: Fan Fei, Zhai Xiaoqing; Reviewer: Huang Minxue)