Advancing research in emerging technologies: ITU and Zhejiang University
Earlier this month, ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao and other senior ITU officials and staff welcomed a delegation led by Professor Zhaohui Wu, President of Zhejiang University, to ITU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
The meeting marks the beginning of future research collaboration between ITU and Zhejiang University in emerging technologies and associated issues such as artificial intelligence (AI), multimedia, e-services, 5G, digital broadcasting, Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, big data, cybersecurity and data privacy.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two parties outlined potential collaboration in global, regional and national events – as well as research collaboration in radiocommunication, standardization, telecommunication and ICT development activities.
Mr Zhao was joined by Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau; Yushi Torigoe, Chief of the Strategic Planning and Membership Department; Bilel Jamoussi, Chief of the Study Groups Department at ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau — and other senior ITU officials and staff for the signing ceremony.
The ITU and the delegation of Zhejiang University exchanged expertise and discussed how the university could contribute to the work of ITU-T SG16 in areas such as media compression, intelligent transport systems, AI in multimedia, applications of distributed ledger technology in multimedia, and immersive media; ITU-T SG 17 in areas such as blockchain security, fintech security, quantum and AI security; and ITU-T SG20, in Internet of things (IoT) and smart cities and communities. Opportunities also exist for sharing and exchanging on cutting-edge research and case studies within the ITU-D study groups (ITU-D SG1 and ITU-D SG2).
New avenues for collaboration
The MoU will provide opportunities for collaboration on publication activities, as well as further development of opportunities for Zhejiang University students to gain professional experience through internships at ITU. Opportunities to collaborate in training as well as capacity and skills development are also in consideration, and will incorporate face-to-face and online training courses.
“We currently have over 160 universities that contribute on the regular basis to ITU’s work. Nowadays we need knowledge of this academic community more than ever.” – ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao
Zhejiang University is a long-standing Academia member of ITU, having first joined the Union in 2011. Founded in 1897, Zhejiang University is a top-ranked university and is third in the Best Chinese Universities Ranking and also selected for China’s “Double First-Class” initiative.
“We currently have over 160 universities that contribute on the regular basis to ITU’s work. Nowadays we need knowledge of this academic community more than ever,” said the Secretary General Houlin Zhao. “I rely on their advice to help shape the future – international standards, policies and regulations. I’m happy to see such commitment from Zhejiang University to build the knowledge together that could be beneficial for the society.”
Professor Zhaohui Wu’s delegation to Europe is a part of the university’s efforts to further strengthen its connections with international organizations in the region. This event marks the first-ever visit of Professor Wu to ITU premises.
“We are delighted and honored to forge a closer partnership with ITU,” said President Wu. “ZJU looks forward to joining forces with ITU to accomplish the challenges facing global connectivity.”
“ITU is very active in the field of security standards,” said Dr. Kui Ren, Professor of Computer Science and Vice Dean of the College of Computer Science and Technology at Zhejiang University. “At ZJU, we are also covering a variety of cutting-edge research, through which we hope to make greater contributions on the ITU platform.”
Zhejiang University also expressed interest in contributing to the development of the ITU Journal: ICT Discoveries. Dr. Lu Yu, Professor of Zhejiang University’s College of Information Science and Electronic Engineering, is guest editor for the current special issue of the ITU Journal on the “Future of video and immersive media.”
“ZJU has well-known research groups in video compression and standardization,” said Prof. Yu. “We have been continuously involved in ITU standardization activities on multimedia coding for more than 15 years. The MoU may lead us to extend collaboration on future new media, smart city and IoT activities.”
In addition, the university expressed interest to work further on capacity building and explore partnerships with ITU Centres of Excellence and Digital Transformation Centres.
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