
The delegation meets with Vice-President Professor Inge Hanewinkel of the University of Göttingen. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]
Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) President Yan Jianbing led a six-person delegation on a significant scientific and academic visit to Germany and the Netherlands, focusing on food security and agricultural sustainability.
The visit began on Nov 3 at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Germany, where discussions centered on new strategies for food security and sustainable agriculture in the context of climate change. Both sides exchanged insights on institutional models, including "investing in people and creating positions based on talent" and structuring teams around leading scientists to address major scientific challenges.
On Nov 4, President Yan met with Vice-President Professor Inge Hanewinkel of the University of Göttingen. They reaffirmed their existing cooperation agreement in agricultural sciences, agreeing to deepen collaboration to enhance global food security efforts. The delegation also participated in academic exchanges with renowned corn geneticist Professor Chris-Carolin Schön at the Technical University of Munich on Nov 5.
The delegation moved to the Netherlands on Nov 6, where they met with President Professor Jouke de Vries of the University of Groningen. Following President Yan's introduction of HZAU's vision to "dedicate abundant clothing and food that are healthy for both humanity and the planet", the two universities signed the Dual Ph.D. Degree Cooperation Agreement, alongside plans for joint talent cultivation and laboratory construction.
The tour concluded on Nov 7 at Wageningen University & Research. The delegation met with Professor Ernst van den Ende and toured the smart agriculture research platform, gaining insights into cutting-edge developments in Dutch greenhouse systems and cultivation research.