A five-member delegation from the College of Life Science and Technology at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) recently completed a nine-day academic visit to Benha University in Egypt.
The delegation participated in the 5th Annual Conference of Post Graduate Studies for Applied Science at Benha University's Obour campus, where discussions focused on how applied science can support a smart, healthy, and sustainable future. They also conducted a training course at the university's Faculty of Agriculture on isolating Bacillus thuringiensis from soil and exploring insecticidal gene resources.
Before the conference, Benha University's president, Nasser Elgizawy, and vice-president, Gehan Abdelhady Mousa, met with the delegation to discuss plans for talent training.
Professor Sun Ming and Professor Li Yibo delivered keynote speeches on agricultural biotechnology and rice breeding, respectively. Associate Professor Mohamed Frahat Foda, doctoral student Wan Yaojia, and master's student Ren Lei also presented their research in the sub-sessions.
The delegation later held a five-day training course for Egyptian students, introducing standard laboratory methods for isolating Bacillus thuringiensis and identifying insecticidal gene resources. The course attracted students, teachers, and alumni from diverse fields.
The two universities also discussed research collaboration, joint talent development, and a long-term plan to apply research results in Egypt. They agreed to organize a visit to HZAU by 15 Egyptian students this summer. The visit further strengthened ties between the two universities in agricultural science and talent development.

The delegation poses for a group photo with Benha University President Nasser Elgizawy, vice-president Gehan Abdelhady Mousa, and other representatives. [Photo/new.hzau.edu.cn]

Students and teachers from Benha University welcome the delegation to hold a course on Bacillus thuringiensis. [Photo/new.hzau.edu.cn]