A delegation from Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) attended an exchange tour to Germany and Belgium from Aug 25 to 31. During the week-long stay, the delegation members communicated with representatives of the institutions including University of Göttingen, EUNIR Systems NV and KU Leuven.
At the University of Göttingen, Zhang Kai, a professor from the Wood Technology and Wood-Based Composites Department of the University of Göttingen, provided an overview of the faculty's research and led a tour of the Biotechnology Center and a wood processing plant. Discussions focused on cross-disciplinary research in nanotechnology and biotechnology, and talent development and recruitment.
The delegation meets with Zhang (L1) at the University of Göttingen. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]
Xu Xingbo, a researcher at the Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology of the University Medical Center at the University of Göttingen, guided the delegation through the German National Cardiovascular Research Center, and briefed them on the work in translational multi-omics and precision cardiology, as well as the graduate education and faculty development in Germany.
Liu Peiwen, one of the HZAU delegation member, made a presentation on current research efforts of HZAU in relevant fields. A preliminary agreement on a "protein nanomedicine" project was reached.
Yu Xiaohua, chair of Agricultural Economics in Developing and Transition Countries of the University of Göttingenm and a member of HZAU's International Advisory Committee, spoke about the overall situation of the department and the development of the humanities and social sciences of the University of Göttingen.
After listening to a report on HZAU's humanities and social sciences development by Wang Peng, a member of the delegation, Yu offered specific suggestions on discipline development and talent recruitment.
The two sides also discussed organized research, research team building and the development of young faculty.
The delegation also visited the university's Research and Transfer Services, discussing patent applications, result promotion, the organizational structure and technology transfer of research institutes, reaching a preliminary agreement on a specific patent cooperation.
The delegation visits University of Göttingen's Research and Transfer Services. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]
The delegation also visited the Institute of Applied Plant Nutrition, where they engaged with the Chinese students studying there.
In Belgium, the delegation's first stop was EUNIR Systems NV, where Kong Jing, manager of the corporation, provided an overview of the company specializing in infrared thermal imaging and comprehensive optoelectronic systems. The two sides discussed potential university-industry collaborations on talent recruitment.
The HZAU delegation also visited the Division of Geography and Tourism at KU Leuven, as well as the Division of China Studies of the Faculty of Arts, and the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences. They met with the scholars there, learned about their research and extended invitations for their future visits.
Additionally, Li Fan, a member of the delegation, gave a lecture themed Green Teens: Using Motive-Alignment to Engage Youth in Pro-Environmental Behavior at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, and held a seminar with doctoral students there to discuss their career aspirations.
