Professor Grant Edwards has an engaging face-to-face discussion with over 40 student representatives from the Joint Institute of HZAU and Lincoln University. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]

Professor Grant Edwards, Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln University (New Zealand), and Professor Hong Di, Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, visited Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) on Oct 18 to strengthen the partnership between the two institutions.

HZAU President Yan Jianbing warmly welcomed the delegation, highlighting the fruitful collaboration since the establishment of the Joint Institute of HZAU and Lincoln University in 2024. He emphasized their shared mission to promote agricultural sustainability, calling for expanded cooperation to jointly address global challenges.

Professor Edwards praised HZAU's achievements in agricultural education and research, noting how its mission and disciplinary focus strongly align with that of Lincoln University. He expressed hope for further collaboration in establishing joint research centers, faculty and student mobility, and exploring joint doctoral degree cultivation programs to advance agricultural technology and talent development.

Two sides also discussed three key initiatives: establishing joint research centers focused on sustainable agriculture, water-soil microbiology, and global food security; enhancing joint talent cultivation, including dual PhD programs; and promoting the appointment and training of outstanding faculty.

During the visit, the delegation toured the Hubei Hongshan Laboratory. Professor Edwards also engaged in an hour-long exchange with over 40 students from the Joint Institute. He encouraged them to embrace the unique learning experience, enhance their global competitiveness, and pursue their dreams on the platform provided by the two universities, emphasizing that modern agriculture, now integrating biotechnology and information science, offers vast career prospects.