Nurturing acorns to grow into mighty oaks
May 26, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MINHANG has opened its arms to talented professionals, and what a catch for the district when an eminent Chinese engineer decided to give up a comfortable lifestyle in Japan and return to his homeland. Liu Jingsong has set up a successful company in one of the district's innovation parks, and the contribution he is making to Chinese modernization bears testimony to the success of the district's recruitment drive.
Liu Jingsong gave up a high-flying career in Japan to return to China and start up his own company in Minhang. He has never regretted his decision.
Liu, 44, is president of Shanghai Micson Automation Co Ltd, which is located in the Caohejing Development Zone. His company is involved with developing and manufacturing automation used in electronics, semiconductors and photovoltaic power.
After earning his PhD at Shanghai's prestigious Jiao Tong University in 1998, Liu seized the opportunity to do post-doctoral research at the University of Yamanashi in Japan. His decade-long work there established him as a global specialist in the field of semiconductor packaging equipment.
After leaving the university laboratory, he was offered a job at a Japanese company, where he was promoted quickly.
It looked like Liu was settling in for a prosperous life in Japan.
The director of the company spared no effort to keep him there. He even tried to persuade him to take out Japanese citizenship.
"To retain me, the company recruited my wife as a software developer," Liu said. "It was a stunning offer because at that time it was difficult even for Japanese women to find top jobs."
The director's family pitched in to help make the couple's life comfortable. "Because both of us had to work, we didn't have time to pick up our son from kindergarten, so director's wife picked him up for us every day," he said.
Liu and his wife were extremely grateful, but somehow their hearts remained in China.
"I had always known that I would one day contribute what I learned to my motherland," he said. "My knowledge and techniques are among essentials the country needs the most now."
In 2010, Liu and his family moved back to Shanghai, and he founded Micson.
The Minhang government was only too happy to welcome him and give his start-up company a boost. Paperwork was fast-tracked.
"They helped us settle in an industrial innovation park in the area," Liu said. "They helped our products find a buyer in a big local solar energy firm, with which we have signed a long-term deal. The decision to move to Minhang proved to be brilliant."
The district's eagerness to embrace high-caliber professionals has certainly impressed him.
"I still remember officials from the district government telling me that talent from around the world is welcome here and help will be provided for those who sink roots in Minhang," Liu said. "I had found a home."
Last year, the district invested 100 million yuan (US$15 million) to establish a fund earmarked for talent recruitment. That helps companies like Liu's get the people they need for strong development.
Micson has obtained 20 patents in China, three-quarters of them for Liu's personal inventions. The company now has more than 20 clients and counting. It has established project links with several universities, both at home and abroad.
Liu's company motto is: "Cooperation, unity, development and communication add up to win-win."
In the spirit of searching out the best and the brightest, Micson has recruited about a fifth of its staff from the ranks of people holding PhDs or master's degrees. The group of engineers working at the company is Micson's strongest asset in a competitive world, Liu said.
Looking ahead, he said he hopes to expand his plant and achieve annual revenue of 100 million yuan in three years' time.
"I want to provide dormitories for young employees so that they don't have to give up their career dreams because of high housing prices in Shanghai," he said.
He also hopes the day comes when China no longer has to import the most advanced automation equipment from abroad. "I think we could design cutting-edge products here, relying on our collective experience and cohesive teamwork," said Liu.
With government support, Liu was selected as a member of the district's People's Congress in January. His roots in Minhang go deeper and deeper.
Liu Jingsong gave up a high-flying career in Japan to return to China and start up his own company in Minhang. He has never regretted his decision.
Liu, 44, is president of Shanghai Micson Automation Co Ltd, which is located in the Caohejing Development Zone. His company is involved with developing and manufacturing automation used in electronics, semiconductors and photovoltaic power.
After earning his PhD at Shanghai's prestigious Jiao Tong University in 1998, Liu seized the opportunity to do post-doctoral research at the University of Yamanashi in Japan. His decade-long work there established him as a global specialist in the field of semiconductor packaging equipment.
After leaving the university laboratory, he was offered a job at a Japanese company, where he was promoted quickly.
It looked like Liu was settling in for a prosperous life in Japan.
The director of the company spared no effort to keep him there. He even tried to persuade him to take out Japanese citizenship.
"To retain me, the company recruited my wife as a software developer," Liu said. "It was a stunning offer because at that time it was difficult even for Japanese women to find top jobs."
The director's family pitched in to help make the couple's life comfortable. "Because both of us had to work, we didn't have time to pick up our son from kindergarten, so director's wife picked him up for us every day," he said.
Liu and his wife were extremely grateful, but somehow their hearts remained in China.
"I had always known that I would one day contribute what I learned to my motherland," he said. "My knowledge and techniques are among essentials the country needs the most now."
In 2010, Liu and his family moved back to Shanghai, and he founded Micson.
The Minhang government was only too happy to welcome him and give his start-up company a boost. Paperwork was fast-tracked.
"They helped us settle in an industrial innovation park in the area," Liu said. "They helped our products find a buyer in a big local solar energy firm, with which we have signed a long-term deal. The decision to move to Minhang proved to be brilliant."
The district's eagerness to embrace high-caliber professionals has certainly impressed him.
"I still remember officials from the district government telling me that talent from around the world is welcome here and help will be provided for those who sink roots in Minhang," Liu said. "I had found a home."
Last year, the district invested 100 million yuan (US$15 million) to establish a fund earmarked for talent recruitment. That helps companies like Liu's get the people they need for strong development.
Micson has obtained 20 patents in China, three-quarters of them for Liu's personal inventions. The company now has more than 20 clients and counting. It has established project links with several universities, both at home and abroad.
Liu's company motto is: "Cooperation, unity, development and communication add up to win-win."
In the spirit of searching out the best and the brightest, Micson has recruited about a fifth of its staff from the ranks of people holding PhDs or master's degrees. The group of engineers working at the company is Micson's strongest asset in a competitive world, Liu said.
Looking ahead, he said he hopes to expand his plant and achieve annual revenue of 100 million yuan in three years' time.
"I want to provide dormitories for young employees so that they don't have to give up their career dreams because of high housing prices in Shanghai," he said.
He also hopes the day comes when China no longer has to import the most advanced automation equipment from abroad. "I think we could design cutting-edge products here, relying on our collective experience and cohesive teamwork," said Liu.
With government support, Liu was selected as a member of the district's People's Congress in January. His roots in Minhang go deeper and deeper.
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