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Chinese investment brings big data boost to Imperial College

In keeping with the President of China’s visit to the UK, a Chinese business has invested £3m in Imperial College’s Data Science Institute and Hamlyn Centre.

President Xi Jinping visited the college yesterday to confirm the boost from financial services firm China UCF Group, which will provide support for big data research at the Data Science Institute and for medical robotics work at the Hamlyn Centre.

China UCF Group, through its affiliated companies Shenzhen Keybridge communication co. Ltd and NCF Group, and China Construction Bank International (CCBI) are to provide continued support to research and innovation conducted by the two Imperial centres.

Mr Zhenxin Zhang, Chairman of China UCF Group, said:“Imperial College London and innovation are synonymous. It is an honour to support the College’s world-class research in data science and medical robotics.

“Our UCF Group, affiliated companies Key Bridge and NCF recognize that the Data Science Institute and Hamlyn Centre are pioneers in collaborative innovation, thus we seek partnership to support their advancement in the future. As President Xi Jinping visits Imperial, I hope the College’s strong ties to China continue to grow.”

In recognition of the gift, the Data Science Institute has displayed a plaque bearing the name of its new partners CCBI and KeyBridge. President Xi will see the plaque before attending a research demo at the Data Science Institute and touring the Hamlyn Centre.

Professor Jeff Magee, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College London, said:“This gift will enable two of Imperial’s great engineering centres to take their discoveries and innovations further. China UCF Group’s generosity and foresight has made the future of data science and medical robotics even brighter. Our researchers and students are thrilled at the prospect of putting this donation to use.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .