Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology on May 8 and named Ralph Bock, a member of the German National Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina) and director of the institute, as an honorary professor, marking a new step in the university's international cooperation in plant science.
HZAU President Yan Jianbing and Bock signed the memorandum, with Yan presenting Bock with the honorary professor certificate. The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in scientific research, joint talent training, and high-level academic exchange. Representatives from HZAU's human resources, international cooperation departments, College of Plant Science & Technology, College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, and College of Bio-X attended the meeting and signing ceremony.
Yan thanked Bock for his long-term support for HZAU and introduced the university's development in education, talent training, discipline building, scientific innovation, and international cooperation. He said the memorandum and the honorary appointment should be a starting point for broader collaboration, including joint laboratories, major research projects, and faculty and student exchanges.
Bock said he was honored to receive the honorary professor title. He said personnel exchange is important for deepening cooperation and that both sides could establish regular academic exchange mechanisms in areas like organelle transformation, photosynthesis mechanisms, metabolite-mediated stress resistance, and nutritional improvement.
The cooperation is expected to provide new platforms for researchers and young scholars from both sides while supporting joint efforts to address global challenges like food security, climate change, and sustainable agricultural development.

Representatives attend the meeting and signing ceremony. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]

Yan Jianbing of HZAU and Ralph Bock of the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology sign a memorandum of cooperation on May 8. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]