(L-R): Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria; Mr Lu Yuan, Deputy Secretary of CPC SIP Working Committee and Chairman of SIP Administrative Committee; Mr Ni Qian, Member of CPC SIP Working Committee, Vice Chairman of SIP Administrative Committee; Professor Yu Jianglong, Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor and President (Suzhou), Monash University
Monash University recently signed its second five-year agreement (2026-2030) with Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) where the Monash Suzhou Research Institute (MSRI) is located. This signals the University's continued commitment to engaging with China and Monash Suzhou's role as an anchor institution in delivering on Monash's China Plan.
The renewal ensures that MSRI, Monash's registered non-profit entity in China, remains a vital portal for high-impact research and technology transfer. By aligning with both Australian and Chinese national priorities, the Institute continues to address "problems without passports," such as climate change, energy sustainability, and public health.
Professor Huanting Wang is Monash University's Pro Vice-Chancellor (Suzhou) and President. He sees Monash Suzhou as central to Monash's identity as a globally engaged university.
"The renewal of our agreement with the Suzhou Industrial Park allows us to continue our reciprocal engagement, listening to and responding to the aspirations of the local Suzhou community while delivering scientific and social benefits to the wider Indo-Pacific region," he said.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, who visited Monash Suzhou as part of a broader mission to China.
By being present to witness this agreement, the Governor signalled the State of Victoria's ongoing commitment to supporting long-term partnerships in education and innovation with China.
"The Monash University-Southeast University partnership works brilliantly – as does the Monash University-Suzhou Industrial Park partnership," she said. "It works because it builds on Monash's long association with Suzhou, and enables the best and brightest researchers to collaborate and work with industry on areas from sustainability to energy to medical technology and resource recovery.
"Given the quality of the facilities and people associated with this Institute, it's impossible to predict what might be achieved during another five years of research and development."
The MSRI serves as an innovation hub focusing on:
- Advanced materials and manufacturing
- Energy and environment
- Future cities and sustainable development
- Advanced computation and life sciences
This research effort is integrated with the Southeast University-Monash University Joint Graduate School (JGS). Through this Ministry of Education-approved partnership, Monash provides Chinese students with a high-quality transnational education experience, cultivating talents and skills required by industries of the future.
Following the signing ceremony, the Governor received a high-level briefing from Monash faculty, students, and industry partners. The session provided a platform for the Governor to learn about and reflect upon the University's planned initiatives in research commercialisation and engagement with industrial clusters of the Yangtze River Delta.
