An HZAU student gives a presentation in English on her team's latest scientific work. [Photo/new.hzau.edu.cn]

Young researchers from China and abroad gathered at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) for an English academic report salon, bringing together students and international experts to explore the frontiers of agricultural innovation.

During the event, students delivered research presentations in English. Liu Fufei outlined her team's work on breeding heat-tolerant, high-yielding rice in the face of climate change. Zhang Hongbin explained key genetic factors affecting corn dehydration and proposed approaches to reduce mold losses during mechanical harvesting. Other presentations touched on coronavirus host factors and crop disease resistance, reflecting a shared commitment to public health, sustainable agriculture and food security.

Three international experts — Mohamed Frahat Foda, Mateus Detoni, and Sharon Raszap Skorbiansky — offered feedback after the presentations, commending the students for their clear research logic and confident academic communication. They offered recommendations on deepening analytical thinking and improving academic writing across different cultural settings.

During the international session, students from different countries recounted their academic journeys in China. Ramy Khodre and Chimwemwe Chikuni spoke about their paths through crop genetics and food science, and how they found their footing in a new academic and cultural setting. They expressed a desire to apply relevant agricultural technologies in their home countries to support local growth and sustainability.

Jointly organized by multiple colleges within the university, the salon offered a lively platform for sharpening academic communication, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and broadening students' perspectives on their place in the global scientific community.