2015 - All Press Releases

NPG bolsters Shanghai’s ambition to become a global Science and Innovation Centre

London | Shanghai, 19 October 2015

Nature Publishing Group (NPG), part of Springer Nature, has arrived at a five-year Memorandum of Understanding for Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement (“MOU”) with the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (“STCSM”) in support of the city transforming into a world-class Science and Innovation Centre (“Science and Innovation Centre”). Today, the MOU was jointly signed by Derk Haank, CEO of Springer Nature and Mr. Shou Ziqi, Director of STCSM.

Mr. Yang Xiong, Mayor of Shanghai, met Mr. Haank after the signing ceremony. They discussed joint efforts that can be made to promote the Science and Innovation Centre.

Since announcing an ambitious plan this May for developing Shanghai into a Science and Innovation Centre, the Shanghai municipal government has unveiled policies and measures to achieve this goal. Following the signing of the MOU, NPG will collaborate with STCSM and the Shanghai government to enhance Shanghai’s image and reputation in the global research community, attract world-class talent, and build up the city’s ability to translate research into innovation and ultimately, societal benefits.

Mr. Derk Haank said: “It is exciting to see Shanghai is moving ahead with a new positioning in addition to its established role as an economic, financial, trade and shipping centre. This puts Shanghai in a leading role to drive forward a knowledge-based economy in China. We at Springer Nature are honoured to contribute to Shanghai’s strategic initiative, drawing on our unique combination of local knowledge, global resources and network.”

Springer Nature, as a leading international science and professional publisher, owns global platforms, such as nature.com, SpringerLink, and scientificamerican.com, attracting 56 million visits every month from the science, research, policy making and professional communities around the world.

As part of the agreement, NPG will develop a global promotion plan, showcasing Shanghai’s strength and progress in key frontier and innovative technological fields to a wider audience globally, including R&D professionals, policy makers, and the general public. NPG’s scientific jobs board will be leveraged to amass high-calibre experts for Shanghai, with technical capabilities, global vision and commercial acumen. NPG will also provide tailored training solutions, including Nature Masterclasses, to help local researchers become more successful.

In addition, NPG will advise Shanghai-based think tanks, including the Pujiang Innovation Forum, and promote dialogues between global and Chinese policy makers, scientists and business leaders.

“We are excited to be partnering with the Shanghai government and the broader research community, to propel Shanghai into a world class centre where research and innovation can unleash enormous economic benefits and solve big challenges facing global society. Our teams at Springer Nature in China and worldwide will work in concerted effort toward the success of this important initiative,” said Charlotte Liu, President of Springer Nature in Greater China.

Springer Nature was formed in 2015 through the merger of Springer Science+Business Media and the majority of Macmillan Science and Education, serving researchers, teachers and students through an array of respected and trusted brands, including Nature, Palgrave Macmillan, Macmillan Education, Scientific American, Springer and BioMed Central.

About Nature Publishing Group (NPG)

Nature Publishing Group (NPG) is a publisher of high impact scientific information in print and online. NPG publishes journals, online databases and services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences.

Focusing on the needs of scientists, Nature (founded in 1869) is the leading weekly, international scientific journal. NPG publishes a range of Nature research journals and Nature Reviews journals, and a range of prestigious academic and partner journals including society-owned publications. Online, nature.com provides over 10 million visitors per month with access to NPG publications and services, including news and comment from Nature, and the leading scientific jobs board Naturejobs. Scientific American is at the heart of NPG's consumer media division, meeting the needs of the general public. Founded in 1845, Scientific American is the oldest continuously published magazine in the US and the leading authoritative publication for science in the general media. Together with scientificamerican.com and 14 local language editions around the world it reaches over 5 million consumers and scientists. Other titles include Scientific American Mind and Spektrum der Wissenschaft in Germany.

Throughout all its businesses NPG is dedicated to serving the scientific community and the wider scientifically interested general public. Part of joint venture Springer Nature, NPG is a global company with principal offices in London, New York, Shanghai and Tokyo, and offices in cities worldwide including Boston, San Francisco, Washington DC, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Cairo, Dubai, Delhi, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Osaka, Seoul, Barcelona, Madrid, Basingstoke, Heidelberg, Munich and Paris. For more information, please go to www.nature.com.

About Springer Nature

Springer Nature is a leading global research, educational and professional publisher, home to an array of respected and trusted brands providing quality content through a range of innovative products and services. Springer Nature is the world’s largest academic book publisher, publisher of the world’s highest impact journals and a pioneer in the field of open research. The company numbers almost 13,000 staff in over 50 countries and has a turnover of approximately EUR 1.5 billion. Springer Nature was formed in 2015 through the merger of Nature Publishing Group, Palgrave Macmillan, Macmillan Education and Springer Science+Business Media. 

Contact

Zhang Li
Corporate Communications Manager, Greater China
T: +86 21 2422 5047
E: li.zhang@macmillan.com