Industry-Academia-Research Collaborative Innovation: Professor Xiao Yang's Journey in Cultivating Talent
2025-11-04
Professor Xiao Yang’s industry-academia-research integration model builds upon the foundation of industry-education collaboration, seamlessly blending resources from universities, enterprises, and research institutions. This approach ensures that talent development extends far beyond the boundaries of campus walls. Beyond fostering students’ academic excellence, the model places equal emphasis on honing their practical skills and equipping them with the ability to connect effectively with real-world markets—enabling them to successfully transform technological innovations into market-ready products. By doing so, it empowers scientific and technological advancements to directly fuel societal and economic growth. Ultimately, this model is helping to cultivate in fields like materials science—individuals who not only exhibit innovative thinking but also demonstrate robust practical expertise. Together, these talents are driving China’s science and technology industries forward, paving the way for sustained progress and innovation. On the dynamic path of collaborative industry-academia-research innovation, we are steadily taking confident, decisive steps toward an even brighter future.
Professor Xiao Yang presents "Research Advances in Ultra-Lightweight, High-Strength, Heat- and Corrosion-Resistant Light Alloys for Aerospace Applications."
Professor Xiao Yang is not only deeply rooted in the education sector as a professor at Zhengzhou University, but he’s also actively involved in technological innovation and industrial applications. As the General Manager of Zhengzhou Light Alloy Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as "Light Alloy Institute" and "Aerospace Institute," respectively), he has built a strong bridge between academia and industry.
In December 2024, over 40 faculty members and students from the Class of 2023 of the Engineering Program at Zhengzhou University’s School of Materials Science and Engineering visited Qingyan Alloy and the Institute of Aerospace Technology. There, Professor Xiao Yang provided hands-on instruction, allowing students to observe firsthand the real-world production and R&D processes. This multi-level educational approach—spanning theoretical learning in the classroom, immersive factory tours and internships, and in-depth lab research—effectively bridges foundational knowledge with practical applications and technological innovation. It aligns seamlessly with the natural progression of technology development, from laboratory breakthroughs to market-ready solutions, fostering a strong integration of industry, academia, and research.
A group of faculty and students from Zhengzhou University's Materials Department posed for a commemorative photo with Professor Xiao Yang at the Institute of Aerospace.
After the tour, the company arranged a panel discussion and exchange session for the students. Ma Kaijie, Head of the Production Department, provided the students with a detailed overview of the company’s development journey, organizational structure, its collaborative innovation model integrating industry, academia, and research, as well as its approach to talent cultivation.
Professor Xiao Yang warmly welcomed the students and engaged in a friendly conversation with them, helping them understand how company employees continuously enhance their knowledge, refine their skills, and create value through the process of "learning by doing and doing by learning" in real-world practice. This showcased the company's talent development philosophy: "attracting talent, nurturing talent, honing talent, and empowering talent to achieve excellence."
Learning by doing: From theoretical research in the lab to practical application and beyond, society itself is the true university.
Professor Xiao Yang has dedicated himself passionately to the field of education, having cumulatively mentored over a dozen undergraduate students, more than 30 graduate students, 6 doctoral candidates and postdoctoral fellows, and over 70 engineers since 2010. Professor Xiao Yang deeply understands that universities possess abundant research resources and cutting-edge theoretical knowledge, while enterprises hold critical insights into market trends and real-world application scenarios. Driven by this understanding, he has actively fostered deep collaboration between Zhengzhou University and industry partners, enabling students to move beyond textbooks and labs and immerse themselves directly in the heart of industry. To this end, he has established several key platforms at institutions like Light Alloy Research Institute and the Aerospace Institute, including an "Academician Workstation," a "Joint Graduate Training Base," and a "Postdoctoral Innovation Practice Base." Moreover, he maintains multi-faceted strategic partnerships—ranging from joint project applications and execution to collaborative development of next-generation materials—effectively bridging theory with practice and integrating education with industry.
Professor Xiao Yang supervises the graduate student defense session.
Research-driven: Pioneering uncharted innovation territories, empowering exceptional individuals to reach even greater heights.
In the quest to discover new materials, Professor Xiao Yang not only focuses on advancing scientific research projects but also dedicates his heart and soul to nurturing the next generation of R&D engineers. Through his hands-on mentorship and exemplary teaching, he provides team members with ample room for growth and abundant opportunities for hands-on experience, enabling young engineers to refine their skills and broaden their horizons in real-world applications. Under Professor Xiao Yang’s careful guidance, numerous R&D engineers have flourished—growing from eager newcomers fresh out of school into independent, capable researchers who are now leading innovative breakthroughs. Drawing inspiration from the lab as their creative incubator, these engineers meticulously explore the mysteries of cutting-edge materials, following a proven 1-9 maturity model that drives the development of entirely new, groundbreaking discoveries.
Every accumulation of experimental data and every breakthrough in tackling technical challenges reflects the team's growth and achievements. Throughout this journey, generation after generation of R&D engineers have risen to prominence—they master cutting-edge research techniques and methodologies, possess sharp scientific insight, and have become the driving force behind advancements in the field of new materials. Their expertise also provides robust technical support for the deepened integration of industry, academia, and research.
Industrial transformation: Embed technology into our products, and inscribe those products firmly on the skies and lands of our great nation.
Professor Xiao Yang firmly believes that scientific research can only truly realize its value when it reaches the market. To this end, he founded Qingyan Alloy and the Aerospace Institute, building a vital bridge between the laboratory and industrial applications.
Since the company’s establishment, Professor Xiao Yang has consistently upheld the philosophy of applying knowledge to practice and remained true to the original vision of driving innovation through technology and entrepreneurship. Leveraging multiple domestic and provincial-level R&D platforms—including the "Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Alloys," the "Henan Provincial Innovation Center for High-Performance Light Alloy Manufacturing," and the "Henan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Aerospace Light Alloys"—he has fully capitalized on a four-pronged development model: "world-class research facilities + top-tier talent + cutting-edge technology + premium products." Additionally, the company adheres to an integrated innovation business model that seamlessly connects academia, research, and industry—combining "university-based fundamental research with institute-level prototyping, all leading to corporate-scale industrialization." Professor Xiao Yang is committed to empowering employees by turning them into shareholders, transforming their work into meaningful careers, and ensuring that every technological breakthrough is embodied in tangible, high-quality products that proudly grace both the skies of our nation and its vast landscapes.
With the rapid economic growth and the accelerating upgrade of industries, the job market is increasingly demanding a diverse range of talents. Students trained under traditional education models often excel in theoretical knowledge but fall short in practical skills, making it difficult for them to quickly meet the real-world demands of businesses. In this evolving era, education and employment are closely intertwined, making the integration of industry and education more critical than ever before.
During the 62nd China Higher Education Expo, Qu Lingbo, Chairman of the Local University Education Research Branch of the Chinese Society for Higher Education, emphasized in an interview that to truly achieve industry-education integration, it is essential to address the challenges facing industrial development by translating innovative research outcomes into practical applications within the industry. This approach not only validates the quality of scientific research and talent cultivation but also ensures that industry needs drive academic pursuits—essentially letting industry "pose the questions," while professors and scientists "provide the answers"—with the ultimate goal of testing those solutions through real-world societal practice.
Professor Xiao Yang’s model of industry-academia-research integration builds upon the foundation of industry-education collaboration, seamlessly combining resources from universities, enterprises, and research institutions. This approach ensures that talent development extends far beyond the confines of campus walls. Beyond nurturing students’ academic excellence, the model places equal emphasis on cultivating their practical skills and ability to connect with real-world markets—enabling them to successfully translate technological innovations into market-ready products. By doing so, it empowers scientific and technological advancements to directly drive societal and economic growth. Ultimately, this model is helping to cultivate in fields like materials science—individuals who not only possess innovative thinking but also practical expertise. Together, these talents are propelling China’s science and technology industries forward, paving the way for sustained progress and innovation. On the vibrant path of collaborative industry-academia-research innovation, we are steadily taking confident, decisive steps toward an even brighter future.
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