Representatives from Sichuan Haite High-Tech and the Civil Aviation Flight University of China sign a cooperation agreement at the 15th Airshow China in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, Nov. 13, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]
An intended strategic cooperation agreement focusing on industry-education integration in the low-altitude economy was signed between Sichuan Haite High-Tech and the Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) on Nov. 13 at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China.
The event is taking place in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong province, from Nov. 12-17, and serves as a platform for showcasing cutting-edge developments in the aviation and aerospace sectors.
This partnership aims to establish a long-term cooperation mechanism that integrates industries, universities, research institutions and end-users in the low-altitude economy sector, creating a pioneering model for university-industry collaboration.
According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the size of China's low-altitude economy as of the end of 2023 was estimated to be more than 500 billion yuan (about $70 billion), with its scale expected to rise to 2 trillion yuan by 2030.
Under the terms of the agreement, Haite High-Tech and the CAFUC will jointly establish a cooperation platform centered on industry-education integration and the low-altitude economy. The platform will focus on advancing key technologies related to the aviation industry and low-altitude economy while cultivating a highly skilled workforce with expertise in both research and production.
Wan Tao, president of Haite High-Tech, noted at the signing ceremony: "Haite High-Tech and the CAFUC will seize the opportunity presented by the ongoing industrial development to deepen cooperation in areas such as talent cultivation, the application of research achievements, the construction of innovation platforms, and the expansion of industrial scale."
The cooperation will facilitate resource sharing and foster enhanced communication between Haite High-Tech's research teams and the CAFUC's academic staff, thus improving research capabilities. Both parties will also work to ensure that practical production needs are addressed through joint initiatives and promote the application of research outcomes in real-world scenarios.
Ma Jianxin, vice president of the CAFUC, emphasized the importance of using this new agreement as a stepping stone to deepen cooperation across multiple fields and levels, in line with national strategic needs and global technological trends. He also expressed his hope that the collaboration would open a new chapter in strategic partnerships between universities and enterprises, contributing to their mutual development.
Founded in 1991, Haite High-Tech has grown to become China's leading private company for comprehensive aircraft overhaul, complete aircraft painting, passenger-to-cargo aircraft conversions, and the repair of aircraft components.
In addition to its partnership with the CAFUC, Haite High-Tech also signed a ground support equipment procurement agreement with U.S.-based Advanced Ground Systems Engineering (AGSE) on Tuesday. This agreement will enhance cooperation in the provision of ground support equipment and services, crucial to meeting the growing demands of the aviation industry.