A
Newcastle Business School academic has received a prestigious award in China
for his research into knowledge exchange and innovation.
Professor
Yu Xiong won the Chongqing Development Research Award, issued by the
Chongqing Municipal Government. He is the only UK-based academic to have
achieved the accolade. The award recognises the value of statistical think
tanks and analytical research quality, and is aimed at further strengthening
the decision-making, consultation and research work for authorities in China.
Professor Xiong’s research focuses on `International
Talents’ who leave their countries of birth to live and work overseas. Despite
concerns over the potential negative impact of losing the brightest and best –
often referred to as the brain drain - Professor Xiong has found evidence of a
far more positive affect on the home country than previously thought,
especially through knowledge exchange.
He said: “There has been considerable work
carried out in this area by researches in China, so to be the only UK-based
academic recognised with this award is a huge honour. The Chongqing Municipal
Government holds high political status and influence in China.
“Much of the research undertaken by academics
in the UK, including here at Newcastle Business School, is focused on knowledge
exchange for example to support business partners with their growth and competitiveness.
My research has found clear evidence that when this is carried out by
international academics the value and benefits will flow back to their home
countries as well as where they carry the research out. I believe the findings
are important and will help overcome widely held misconceptions.”
Professor
Xiong is Chair of Technology and Operations Management at Newcastle Business
School. He is also co-Director of the North East Innovation Observatory - led by the North
East Local Enterprise Partnership. In recent years, he has helped
facilitate up to £22 million of innovation investment in the UK, via his role
as director of Cocoon Networks Ltd in London, and through a Newcastle-based
initiative working alongside the Tsinghua University Science Park Group (TUS
Park Group). Recently, working with Yingde Group, he initiated a 5 million GBP
fund to invest North East start ups and SMEs.
