On October 23, Tianjin University and internet giant Tencent signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement in Tianjin University’s Conference Centre. Jia Jiaya, a chief manager of Tencent’s Youtu Lab, and Liu Ning, assistant to the president of Tianjin University, signed the agreement on behalf of both parties.

Dr. Ma Kai, an expert researcher from the Youtu Lab, along with Professor Wang Chao, Professor Gao Zhongke, Professor Dong Na and Dr. Ma Chao also attended the signing ceremony which was held by Professor Liu.

During his opening speech, Liu Ning introduced the rich culture of talent-cultivation that Tianjin University has nurtured and its supportive academic atmosphere. In recent years, Tianjin University has greatly advanced its research in artificial intelligence, big data, image processing and human-computer interaction, which has laid a solid foundation for cooperation with Tencent. Liu emphasized that, the agreement will allow Tianjin University and Tencent to forge ahead in further cooperation. “Such cooperation will not only pool resources, but also facilitate joint efforts in studying artificial intelligence, smart hardware and image processing” Liu said.

Jia Jiaya spoke highly of the historical and cultural atmosphere of Tianjin University. He indicated that the mission and vision of Tencent now is Tech for Social Good and introduced some of the significant achievements of Youtu Lab in medical A.I., entertainment A.I. and facial recognition, including inter-age facial recognition technology. According to Jia, Tencent insists on building user-oriented artificial intelligence and on solving problems in society through innovative A.I. applications. Striving for a more valuable and caring A.I. technology, Youtu Lab has been working with Professor Gao Zhongke’s Complicated Network and Intelligent Systems Lab at Tianjin University. With the agreement signed, Tencent expects expanded cooperation with Tianjin University in intelligent sensing and smart hardware, newer human-computer interaction systems, medical image intelligence analysis, disease intelligence diagnosis and etc.

Additionally, Tencent and Tianjin University intend to establish joint research centers or cooperative laboratories for education, providing a higher platform and a broader space for postgraduates and PhDs and thus promoting the development of related disciplines.

By the School of Electrical and Information Engineering

Editors: Eva Yin & Doris Harrington