AFBI formalises scientific links with Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Belfast is the first organisation in the United Kingdom to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), China’s largest and most prestigious agri-food research institute.
Mr Seán Hogan, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) Chair and Professor Tang Huajun, Vice President, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) sign the first Memorandum of Understanding with any UK research institute
A delegation from CAAS, Tang Huajun, Vice President, CAAS, Gong Xifeng, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation, CAAS and Feng Dongxin, Division Chief, Department of International Cooperation, CAAS, flew into Belfast earlier this week for a series of meetings with AFBI specialists that culminated in the signing of a MoU with AFBI.
A key focus of the MoU is fostering opportunities for innovative collaboration among researchers. In particular, both organisations wish to encourage substantial research cooperation in the fields of animal health and disease control, climate change, renewable energies, food safety and agricultural economics. All research will be for the mutual benefit of both regions.
The MoU provides formal opportunities for the exchange of scientific staff to carry out joint research and/or attend scientific meetings, with a view to promoting the development of cooperative research.
The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) is a key open window representing China's agricultural science and technology for international collaboration. With extensive international cooperation relationships with more than 40 countries and international organisations, CAAS is China's national agricultural research organisation, directly affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture in China.
