The China–Australia Innovation Week 2026 is a strategic bilateral initiative designed to foster collaboration in innovation, higher education, and industry engagement between Australia and China.
The event will be hosted by the National Innovation Center par Excllence (NICE), co-hosted by the Federation of Chinese Scholars in Australia (FOCSA), with the support of the Australian Consulate-General in Shanghai.
Through a week-long series of forums, exhibitions, and field visits, the event will bring together representatives from universities, research institutions, startups, SMEs, industry partners, and investors to explore opportunities for collaboration and joint development.
Potential Partners
Australia
- Federation of Chinese Scholars in Australia (FOCSA)
- Key universities: UNSW, Monash University, The University of Sydney, University of Wollongong, and others
- Startups, SMEs, and innovation hubs
- Austrade and state government offices
Yangtze River Delta Region (China)
- Universities and research institutes
- Industrial enterprises and innovation parks
- Investors and venture capital firms
Objectives
- Promote higher education collaboration, particularly in the co-cultivation of engineering and innovation talent.
- Create a platform for knowledge exchange and joint training programs.
- Identify and nurture innovative projects with potential mutual economic and societal benefits.
- Facilitate investment and business partnerships between Chinese and Australian enterprises.
- Enhance mutual understanding and strengthen cultural and academic ties between the two nations.
Expected Outcomes
- Increased visibility of Australian higher education and innovation achievements in China.
- Successful matchmaking of academic, research, and business collaborations between the two countries.
- Enhanced understanding of each nation’s innovation landscape and industrial capabilities.
- Identification of new investment, commercialization, and joint R&D opportunities.
- Strengthened people-to-people and institutional linkages between China and Australia.
Key Activities
A formal ceremony to inaugurate the Innovation Week, featuring keynote speeches from senior government officials, the Australian Consul-General in Shanghai, and representatives from NICE, universities, and industry.
The launch of a dedicated exhibition area within the NICE Innovation Hall to showcase Australia’s research excellence, start-up innovation, and university-industry collaboration outcomes.
- Sino–Australia Higher Education and Innovation Cooperation Forum (Shanghai)
- Technology Innovation Seminar (Shanghai)
- Technology Translation Workshop (Shanghai)
An exhibition highlighting breakthrough technologies, prototypes, and collaborative projects.
Proposed co-hosted sessions include:
- Austrade & NICE: SME–Industry Collaboration Session
- Monash University & Suzhou Industrial Park
- UNSW & Wuxi Industrial Research Institute (WIIRI)
- University of Sydney & local industry partners
- City of Melbourne & Nanjing Pukou High-Tech Park
Field visits will be arranged for researchers to explore potential collaboration with local industry partners in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Anhui.
Proposed Program Schedule
Date | Activity | Location / Focus |
1 June 2026 | Parallel Sessions | Shanghai |
2 June 2026 | Main Forum | Shanghai |
3 June 2026 | Parallel Sessions | Shanghai |
4–5 June 2026 | Field Visits | Shanghai, Jiangsu and Anhui – visits to innovation parks, universities, and enterprises |
Representative Speakers
Prof. Lei Jiang
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Prof. Martin Green
University of New South Wales
Prof. Dongyuan Zhao
Fudan Univerisity
Prof. Ana Deletic
Queensland Uni. of Technology
Prof. Robin Batterham
University of Melbourne
Prof. Mike Hood
University of Queensland
Prof. Chennupati Jagadish
Australian National University
Conference Chairs
Prof. Qing Liu
National Innovation Center par Excellence
Prof. Xiwang Zhang
Univeristy of Queensland
Session Chairs
Prof. Lianzhou Wang
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Prof. Huanting Wang
Monash University
Prof. Guoxiu Wang
Univerisity of Technology Sydney
Prof. Dayong Jin
Eastern Insitute of Technology
Prof. Lin Ye
SUSTech
Prof. Yuming Guo
Monash University
Prof. Baohua Jia
RMIT
Prof. Chuan Zhao
University of New South Wales
Prof. Jianhua Guo
University of Queensland
Prof. Jian Li
Monash University
Abstract Submission
Abstract submissions are invited for both oral and poster presentations; All abstracts must be submitted to email address caiw2026@163.com; Notification of acceptance will be sent by e-mail to the presenting authors; All presenting authors of accepted abstracts are expected to register.
The abstract submission deadline is 10/05/2026. If you have any questions regarding the abstract, please contact us at caiw2026@163.com. Please also complete your conference registration at the time of abstract submission. We kindly encourage early submission to ensure sufficient time for review and processing. Late submissions may not be accepted.
Implementation and Coordination
Lead Organisers:
- NICE / JITRI
- Federation of Chinese Scholars in Australia (FOCSA)
Supporting Partner:
- Australian Consulate-General in Shanghai
Coordination Team:
Jointly established working group comprising representatives from FOCSA, NICE, and selected partner universities to coordinate event logistics, program content, and stakeholder engagement.