Students pursue industry collaboration

Huimin Hu (DPhil Clinical Neurosciences, 2021) and colleagues Yibo Wang and Zheng Fang joined forces with key players in the skincare industry in July 2024 to co-organise a unique product launch event at Rhodes House in Oxford.

Through their company, WISEDU, the trio focused on highlighting innovation within the field, showcasing the potential of student-led initiatives to foster cross-sector collaborations between academia and industry.

The event featured renowned Chinese actress Jing Ning and several influential Chinese social media personalities with millions of followers. These guests shared their experiences at Oxford through various platforms, resulting in millions of views on Chinese social media, thereby boosting Green Templeton’s international profile.

Demonstrating their strategic planning skills, the students orchestrated a comprehensive tour of the college’s iconic facilities. The itinerary included visits to the Radcliffe Observatory and beautiful gardens, and highlighted the college’s rich history in astronomical and medical research.

During the tour, Head Gardener Michael Pirie enthusiastically introduced visitors to rare plants with significant medical and botanical properties, underscoring Green Templeton’s background in medical sciences. This thoughtful inclusion by the event organisers illustrated how academic research can intersect with practical applications in various fields.

‘It was incredibly rewarding to see our vision for this event come to life,’ said Huimin Hu. ‘As a GTC student, I’m incredibly proud to have helped facilitate this collaboration between WISEDU and our college. Showcasing the link between academic research and industry innovation is something I’m very passionate about.’

Green Templeton Principal Sir Michael Dixon said,

‘This collaboration exemplifies the innovative spirit we cultivate at Oxford. Huimin, Yibo, and Zheng have shown exceptional creativity in connecting their academic knowledge with industry opportunities.’