The 2025 International Forum on Industry-Education-Research Integrated Development is held in Jinan, Shandong province, on March 20. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2025 International Forum on Industry-Education-Research Integrated Development was held in Jinan, Shandong province, on March 20.

The forum, featuring the theme "Integrated Development in a Pluralistic World", explored the latest trends in industry-education-research integration, shared successful experiences, and strengthened global collaboration to promote resource sharing and mutual benefits.

The integration of industry, education and research is a crucial engine for economic development and social progress, said Oscar Van Til, president of the World Skills Development Alliance in a video during the forum. Through the collaboration of industry, institutes and research institutions, resource sharing and complementary advantages can be achieved, further driving technological innovation and talent development, he added.

Miodrag Mihaljevic, academician of the Serbian Academy of Science and Arts, said in his speech that technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain bring new opportunities and challenges, and international collaboration is the best way to address these challenges.

He emphasized the need for greater focus on the synergy between industry, research, and education in the development of these applications, as this will be crucial in the near future.

As a major part of China's economy, Shandong has been making efforts to promote innovation-driven development and explore new pathways and models for the deep integration of industry, education, and research.

Sun Licheng, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of Shandong Provincial People's Congress proposed recommendations for the integrated development of industry, education, and research in Shandong, with a focus on empowering industrial upgrading, strengthening open cooperation, and developing new institutional mechanisms.

Shandong, a well-established educational powerhouse, is home to 32,800 schools of various types. The province has been promoting global educational exchange and cooperation, establishing friendly cooperative relations with over 150 countries and regions and hosting 20,000 international students.