Collaboration Between University and Enterprise, Unlocking a New Journey of Intelligence | Leaders and Alumni from Hunan University Visit Hunan Luzhi for Inspection and Exchange

On May 23, a delegation from the Changsha Alumni Association of Hunan University and the Hunan University Entrepreneurs’ Friendship Association visited Hunan Luzhi New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Luzhi New Materials”) for an on-site inspection and exchange activity, focusing on the development of the new materials industry and innovation in university-enterprise cooperation models. Zhang Hao, Chairman of the Hunan University National Science and Technology Park, and Cai Jianguo, General Manager, were invited to participate in the调研 and, together with more than ten alumni representatives, explored new pathways for collaborative development among universities, local governments, and enterprises. Wu Qian, Deputy Director of the Hunan University Alumni Affairs Office, Chen Jianxiong, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the Changsha Alumni Association, and Tan Zhongkun, Executive Vice President and Chairman of the Civil Engineering Branch, also participated throughout the event.

Field Research: Witnessing Innovative Achievements, Together Discussing Development Potential

Accompanied by Wang Xianghong, Chairperson of Luzhi New Materials, the research team visited the company’s R&D center in depth and gained a detailed understanding of the company’s core products and technological breakthroughs. As a high-tech enterprise specializing in high-performance concrete admixtures, high-performance modified materials for special pavement applications, and civil engineering maintenance and reinforcement materials, Luzhi New Materials has, in recent years, developed a number of new material products with strong market competitiveness through independent innovation. Wang Xianghong explained that since the company proposed its development strategy—“improve efficiency, foster innovation, go global, and advance together”—at the end of last year, it has continuously increased its R&D investment and achieved remarkable progress in areas such as material performance optimization and the development of green, low-carbon technologies. He stated: “Innovation is the lifeblood of a company. We hope to leverage our deepened collaboration with universities to integrate technological resources and move toward higher-end, cutting-edge product areas.”

Collaborative Innovation: Deepening the Integration of Industry, Academia, and Research to Empower Industrial Upgrades

During the symposium, both the university and enterprises engaged in an in-depth discussion on topics such as the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements, the establishment of joint laboratories, and the co-cultivation of talent. Wu Qian, Secretary-General of the Hunan University Entrepreneurs Association, stated that this visit aims to identify the needs of alumni enterprises through on-site research and to integrate industrial-chain resources. He revealed that the Association will leverage the university’s Technology Transfer Center to facilitate the implementation of university-based scientific and technological projects and help enterprises upgrade their technologies. Chen Jianxiong, Secretary-General of the Changsha Alumni Association, emphasized that, as a “super connector,” the Alumni Association will continue to play its role as a bridge by building “Alumni Homes” and specialized sub-associations, providing alumni enterprises with precise policy matching. The Association will also regularly organize policy briefings in collaboration with government agencies, offering guidance on applying for high-tech enterprise certification and tax incentives. Furthermore, it will establish a database of upstream and downstream alumni enterprises across the industrial chain and use a “challenge-based” mechanism to publish supply-and-demand lists, thereby promoting cross-regional cooperation. Chairman Zhang Hao systematically introduced Hunan University’s National Science and Technology Park’s “One Core and Three Wings” development strategy—centered on technological innovation and focusing on talent cultivation, capital matchmaking, and market expansion. He stressed: “The science and technology park is not merely a physical space; it serves as a vital converter linking alumni enterprises with policies, capital, and markets. Through mechanisms such as the ‘Alumni Mentorship Program’ and industry salons, we will promote precise matching of resources across different sectors.” General Manager Cai Jianguo laid out specific empowerment measures on-site: establishing a “green channel” for technology services, giving priority to services such as testing and certification, pilot-scale testing facilities, and connecting enterprises with the Hunan Xiangjiang New Area Industry Fund, as well as organizing financing roadshows for enterprises within the park. Tan Zhongkun, Executive Vice President of the Changsha Alumni Association, analyzed industry trends and noted that Luzhixin Materials’ exploration into green and low-carbon materials, maintenance and reinforcement materials, and high-end cementitious materials holds great potential for widespread application in areas such as smart cities, green buildings, and the large number of existing structures. Joint R&D efforts between the university and enterprises can further unlock the material’s performance potential and accelerate the low-carbon transformation of the construction industry. Alumni entrepreneurs spoke enthusiastically, offering many valuable suggestions for company development and for strengthening university-enterprise collaborations. Company Chairman Wang Xianghong repeatedly expressed her gratitude.

Strategic Outlook: Anchoring on “High-End, Precision, and Cutting-Edge,” Jointly Expanding the Global Market

Lu Zhi Xincai’s “going global” strategy sparked heated discussions among the attendees. Wang Xianghong frankly admitted that the domestic market is experiencing intense internal competition, and traditional production capacity is urgently in need of being exported. Therefore, we are actively exploring avenues for overseas development. Since our fact-finding trip to Africa last December, we’ve acted decisively and swiftly—currently, we’ve already established a company in Kenya, and we anticipate that the Kenyan factory will begin actual production by the end of July. Wang Xianghong also pointed out that international market competition is fiercely intense, and enterprises urgently need to leverage the international perspective and research capabilities of universities to develop high-value-added products that meet international standards, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in the global market and ensuring a smooth journey for companies going abroad. In response, alumni entrepreneur representatives actively offered suggestions and advice, proposing initiatives such as joint applications for overseas patents between universities and enterprises and the co-establishment of cross-border technology service platforms, all aimed at helping enterprises expand into the “Belt and Road” markets.

This research initiative has pressed the “accelerator” for collaborative innovation between universities and enterprises. Universities and enterprises are exploring a cooperative mechanism featuring “targeted R&D + joint problem-solving + shared outcomes,” thereby setting a model for deep integration of industry, academia, and research in the field of new materials and injecting new momentum into the implementation of Hunan’s “Three Highs and Four New” strategy. The deep integration of universities’ ‘wisdom’ and enterprises’ ‘production’ will undoubtedly unleash a synergistic effect—“1+1>2”—and drive the two-way convergence of the innovation chain and the industrial chain.

[Conclusion]

With innovation as the brush and collaboration as the ink, the partnership between Hunan University alumni and local enterprises is writing a vivid chapter for the high-quality development of the new materials industry. This dialogue spanning campus and industry not only injects fresh vitality into Luzhi New Materials’ technological upgrade but also highlights the profound value of the “university-local enterprise” collaborative innovation model in serving national strategies and empowering the real economy.