On September 27, 2024, the Geotechnical and Underground Engineering Innovation Technology Exchange Conference and the Second Engineering Construction Industry Industry-University-Research-Application Collaborative Innovation Forum were successfully held in Tianjin. The conference received strong support from units including the Deep Foundation and Underground Space Engineering Branch of the China Construction Industry Association, and brought together numerous authoritative experts in the field of geotechnical and underground engineering, aiming to promote the deep integration of industry, academia, research, and application, and to jointly explore new models for industry development and technological innovation.

Mr. Zhang Jinxun, President of the Deep Foundation and Underground Space Engineering Branch of the China Construction Industry Association, was invited to attend and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. He stated that in recent years China has achieved a series of world-renowned accomplishments in the field of geotechnical and underground engineering, but at the same time faces numerous new challenges. President Zhang emphasized that to address these challenges, we must focus on major national strategic needs and the direction of scientific and technological innovation, give full play to the advantages of university-enterprise cooperation, and promote industry-university-research-application collaborative innovation—a measure of great practical significance.

The theme of this exchange conference was "Collaborative Innovation, Accelerating the Development of New Quality Productive Forces," focusing on new theories and new achievements in geotechnical and underground engineering, as well as the application of related technologies in fields such as smart management, digital detection, and deep space development. In his speech, President Zhang pointed out that geotechnical and underground engineering, as an important component of infrastructure construction, plays an indispensable role in promoting economic and social development. With the acceleration of urbanization and the rapid development of science and technology, the requirements and standards of the industry are also continuously rising, which requires us to make sustained efforts in technological innovation, talent cultivation, and green development.

During the conference, specially invited academicians, masters, and experts and scholars engaged in in-depth exchanges on hot issues in the current field of geotechnical and underground engineering. A number of well-known scholars shared their latest research results and practical experience in areas such as intelligent construction of underground space, comprehensive transportation hub construction, disaster prevention and mitigation, and resilient cities, fully demonstrating the collision and integration of innovative ideas and technologies.

The conference was jointly hosted by multiple higher education institutions including Tianjin University, Tsinghua University, and Tongji University, and was co-organized and supported by a number of well-known enterprises, demonstrating the extensive and positive results of university-enterprise cooperation. This platform not only promoted exchanges and cooperation between academia and industry, but also provided strong technical support for the transformation and upgrading and high-quality development of China's construction industry.

At the end of his speech, President Zhang called on the participants to join hands and make full use of the opportunities provided by this forum to jointly advance innovation and development in the field of geotechnical and underground engineering, and to contribute wisdom and strength to the sustainable development of the industry.