A researcher works in a microbiology laboratory in Hebrew University of Jerusalem on May 26, 2020. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)
by Xinhua writer Chen Wenxian
JERSUALEM, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Cooperation between Israel and China in the sector of innovation has a bright prospect and wider cooperation is under expectation, said Asher Cohen, president of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
During an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Cohen expressed his excitement for future cooperation between Israel and China, particularly in scientific R&D fields, saying that the Hebrew University is beyond keen to further their collaborations with the top universities of China.
"One of our top priorities is to increase international cooperation, specifically to increase the cooperation with the Chinese universities," said Cohen.
As of present, the Hebrew University has established close relations with a number of top Chinese universities. Academic exchanges and scientific R&D collaborations have been conducted in many domains such as biology, social science and agriculture.
"It is a priority for us to cooperate and increase cooperation with the Chinese universities," said Cohen, adding that a number of joint academic activities are "progressing very well."
Cohen traveled to China for the first time in 2015. There, he visited a range of Chinese top universities, which to this day has left an outstanding impression in his mind.
China has improved tremendously in the last 50 years in terms of academics and there is now a great deal of "really excellent" universities, he said.
In the eyes of Cohen, China's high education is progressing into a better future. "That's why it is one of our top priorities to cooperate with the Chinese universities," he further emphasized.
Cohen continued that it is "very important" to cooperate between Chinese and Israeli researches because each country and each university has its advantages.
The Hebrew University is renowned for its innovation, and Chinese universities are interested in the innovation aspect. "We cooperate together, and we produce a better product," he noted.
In order to promote innovation cooperation, in 2014, China and Israel established the mechanism of the joint committee. In March 2017, the two countries established an innovative comprehensive partnership during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to China.
Thereafter, cooperation between China and Israel in innovation has achieved eye-catching progress, with increasing mutual investment and vibrant people-to-people exchange.
Cohen expressed his expectation for more delegations from the Chinese universities when the pandemic is over and more opportunities to visit China in the future. Enditem
