Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, Dr. Jelena Begović, along with the ministry's delegation from the Government of the Republic of Serbia, met with a delegation from Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Dr. Begović and the representatives of Shanghai University discussed opportunities for collaboration in science, technological development, and innovation, as well as the objectives of the Serbian Government in these fields. The minister introduced the goals and ideas behind the construction of the BIO4 Campus project, explaining that it is currently the largest investment in science in the region. "The value of this project is currently estimated at over 400 million euros. The BIO4 Campus is envisioned as a city for scientists, encompassing various participants, including faculties, research institutes, a branch of the Science and Technology Park Belgrade that will further contribute to the development of the startup ecosystem, as well as representatives from the private sector," said Dr. Begović.

She highlighted that numerous significant agreements and memorandums of understanding have already been signed, with major influential companies such as Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and BGI Genomics from China already involved in the project. "The BIO4 Campus will serve as a platform for collaboration among all these parties. We see Serbia as a center for innovation and bioscience development, not just for Southeast Europe," she emphasized, adding that these efforts aim to position Serbia as a relevant and significant player in these fields globally.

The representatives of Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences expressed their view of Belgrade as a "center of this part of the world, for many reasons, not only geographical and historical." Tao Wu, head of the delegation and President of Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, commended the excellent relations between the Republic of Serbia and the People’s Republic of China, supported by Serbia’s active participation in the "One Belt, One Road" initiative.

Ninoslav Marina, Rector Emeritus of the University of Information Science and Technology "St. Paul the Apostle" in Ohrid and Visiting Professor at Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, emphasized that the Shanghai delegation is interested in initiating the establishment of a new research institute in collaboration with a Serbian institution.

"The Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation is always interested in cooperation," stated Dr. Begović, inviting the delegation to formalize their ideas and submit proposals. She noted that the BIO4 Campus offers ample space for the establishment of new institutes. "We have established partnerships with various institutes and universities in the People’s Republic of China, and we are proud to say that this collaboration is at an exceptionally high level," emphasized Minister Dr. Jelena Begović.

Dr. Jelena Begović expressed her enthusiasm for future collaboration and invited the delegation from Shanghai University to join the Serbian-Chinese forum that will be organized in Belgrade.

Source: nitra.gov.rs/cir/ministarstvo/vesti/sangajski-univerzitet-medicine-i-zdravstvenih-nauka-zainteresovan-da-u-okviru-bio4-kampusa-otvori-novi-naucno-istrazivacki-institut