Chinese poverty-alleviation research wins top European award

The Commission of the European Universities Union (EUU) has announced that Chinese scientist Ren Yuheng has been awarded its highest prize — the 2023-2024 Innovation in European Union Studies Award — due to his dedication on enabling less economically developed regions to lift themselves out of poverty through the digital economy.

Professor Ren, who holds a doctorate degree in management and economics, and currently serves as a research chair professor of the Belarusian State University, and the executive dean of the School of Digital Industry of Jimei University, has lead a team to conduct research around the world over a period of five years. He won the award as recommended by the University of Cambridge.

Ren led the team to conduct research in 64 cities and regions in countries including China, Sir Lanka, South Korea and Belarus, and assisted local governments and enterprises to formulate industrial development plans, based on their actual economic development and regional industrial features.

In his congratulatory letter, Professor Gokhan Bilen, chair of the appraisal committee, lauded Ren that, "Your academic journey has not only inspired the EU's research outlook for our institution, but has ushered in a new era of transformative research that promises to leave an indelible legacy."

"Your keen insights into the socioeconomic dynamics generated by the digital revolution have far-reaching implications for policymakers, scholars and practitioners alike," Bilen said, adding that, "Your innovative approach to data analysis, coupled with your visionary conceptual framework, illuminates uncharted territory in EU research."

It has been learned that Ren took the digital economy of e-commerce and intelligent manufacturing as the main means to assist local governments and enterprises through introducing the strength of partners.

While assisting the local governments and enterprises in resolving future development paths, Ren also invited 124 experts in the field of digital economy from all over the world to co-author a 360,000-character book — Hundred Experts Solve Hundreds of Difficulties, County Economy and Industrial Development — in which they raised 175 common issues on digital economy and industrial development.

The book has become an important tool for China's poverty eradication efforts through e-commerce, and has been jointly recommended by Chinese academician Ni Guangnan, academician Li Jingwen (1932-2021) and academician Shen Changxiang of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Professor Ren Yuheng has carried out research and exchange visits at the University of Cambridge, Belarusian State University and the University of Colombo. He also established the Xiamen Kunlun IOT Information Technology Co Ltd and served as chairman of its Board of Directors.

During 2015 – 2022, Ren also served as the global e-commerce advisor to Mr Moon Jae-in, the 19th president of South Korea.

Please contact the writers at zhuangqiange@chinadaily.com.cn