The Collaborative Innovation Center for Marine Engineering of the School of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering is unveiled in Qidong. [Photo/WeChat account: qidongfabu]

Jiangsu University of Science and Technology held the unveiling ceremony for its Collaborative Innovation Center for Marine Engineering of the School of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering in Qidong on Sept 2.

JUST, a university with a strong focus on serving the offshore shipbuilding industry, has trained nearly 200,000 professionals for the marine engineering sector and related fields. The newly established innovation center aims to drive industry-academia-research partnerships, technology transfer, talent training, and platform development, enhancing the university's social impact and service capacity.

Zhang Jian, dean of JUST's School of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, explained that the innovation center will serve as a key link between universities, local governments, and industry, creating a closed-loop system of research, practice, talent development, and regional collaboration. The center is expected to contribute significantly to China's maritime strategy, the upgrading of Jiangsu's offshore shipbuilding industry, and the economic development of Qidong.

Zhenjiang Jizhi Ship Technology, founded by a teacher from JUST and specializing in the design and production of medium- and large-sized vessels and offshore engineering products, registered a new company in Qidong and the signing ceremony was held during the event. This is the city's first ship and marine engineering design enterprise.