To implement the spirit of the National Two Sessions and accelerate the development of new productive forces, the 2024 "Integration of Production, Education, and Research" Innovation and Development Forum was held in Pingyu, Henan Province on April 14. Co-hosted by the China International Science and Technology Exchange Foundation, the Chinese Society of Vocational and Technical Education, Henan Talent Group Co., Ltd., and the Yellow River Laboratory (Henan), among other institutions, the forum saw the participation of IWHR, which also delivered a keynote report at the plenary session.

Mr. Song Zhenghui, Vice Governor of Henan Provincial People's Government, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Mr. Jiao Yong, President of the Chinese Society of Dams, addressed the forum. Mr. Li Yueyong, Mayor of Zhumadian City, Henan Province, and Prof. Song Min, Executive Vice President of the Chinese Society of Vocational and Technical Education, also delivered speeches. Prof. Wang Fuming, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, introduced the progress in building the "Integration of Production, Education, and Research" platform. The forum gathered 32 academicians from renowned universities and research institutions across the country, along with over 800 industry experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs. Prof. Wang Hao, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Honorary Director of the Institute of Water Resources, delivered a keynote report. Representatives from the Science and Research Department of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), the Secretariat of the Chinese Society of Dams, and the International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation (IRTCES) also attended the event.

During the opening ceremony, the Yellow River Laboratory (Henan) and the Dam Engineering Hospital signed cooperation agreements with their partners respectively. IWHR (State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basins) and IRTCES also signed cooperation agreements with the Yellow River Laboratory (Henan).

The forum included three parallel sessions: Innovation in Talent Cultivation Modes, Planning for the Second Phase of the Yellow River Laboratory Pilot Base, and Discussion on the "Might Help You" Consulting Platform. The second phase of the pilot base will focus on building test facilities for dams, river courses, bridges, building materials and structures, loop acceleration loading, as well as a virtual reality experience hall. Participants conducted in-depth discussions on key issues, difficulties, and pain points in engineering technology innovation and talent cultivation, exploring development paths for "Integration of Production, Education, and Research" and paradigms for building shared platforms.

Prior to the forum, participating leaders and guests visited the full-scale comprehensive test base of the Dam Engineering Hospital.