
HZAU international affairs coordinator Shoaib Munir introduces degree programs, summer schools, and internship pathways for Malaysian students. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]
From Nov 10 to 13, a delegation from the College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences and the National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) conducted an academic mission to Malaysia. The visit aimed to consolidate partnerships and expand collaborative frontiers in horticultural research and talent cultivation.
A central highlight of the trip was the delegation's participation in the 2025 HZAU-Guangxi-ASEAN Forum on High-Quality Development of Fruit and Vegetable Industry. Jointly hosted by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), the forum served as a high-level platform for knowledge exchange.
Following an introduction by UPM Professor Uma Rani Sinniah regarding regional agricultural education, experts delivered specialized reports. HZAU Professors Fu Xiaopeng and Zhang Hongyu, alongside local counterparts, shared cutting-edge findings on floral morphology, jackfruit development, citrus pest control, and functional genomics.
Beyond formal presentations, the mission focused on fostering the next generation of scientists. Professor Zhang Fei showcased HZAU's disciplinary strengths and research platforms, while international affairs coordinator Shoaib Munir detailed degree programs, summer schools, and internship pathways for Malaysian students.
To gain practical insights, the delegation toured the radiation mutation breeding facilities at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency and visited local pitaya production bases. These field inspections provided them with a comprehensive understanding of Malaysia’s horticultural production practices.
By bridging academic theory with industrial application, this visit reinforces HZAU's commitment to driving high-quality agricultural development across the ASEAN region through shared expertise and innovation.