Strengthening research cooperation with China – Joint conference and MoU with Huazhong Agricultural University

07 November 2019 - 18-21 October 2019 – Several IAMO researchers, including Lena Kuhn and Zhanli Sun, coordinators of China Research Group, participated the Third International Conference on Natural Resource Management and Public Policy at Wuhan, China. The conference was jointly organized by Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) and IAMO. Over 100 researchers participated in the two-day conference. In addition, a singing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding between IAMO and Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) was held after the conference. IAMO researchers had fruitful exchanges and explored potential collaboration formats with HZAU researchers, headed by Prof Anlu Zhang, dean of college of land management.

During 18-21 October, a delegation of IAMO researchers led by Dr Lena Kuhn and Dr Zhanli Sun, coordinators of China Research Group, participated the third international conference on natural resource management and public policy at Wuhan, China. In her opening speech, Lena Kuhn highlighted the sound foundation and long-history of collaboration between IAMO and HZAU. Zhanli Sun and Lena Kuhn presented keynote speeches on their research about agricultural land change and the environmental efficiency of the livestock sector, respectively. IAMO researchers Sören Prehn, Lijuan Miao, Lanjiao Wen, Yanjun Ren, and Kristin Leimer contributed with reports from their most recent research.

Since 2012, IAMO and HZAU have been promoting the bilateral scientific exchange and cooperation between both institutions. This year, the cooperation culminated in the signature of a MoU, signed by IAMO director Thomas Glauben on behalf of IAMO and the Head of College of Land Management, Prof Anlu Zhang, on behalf of HZAU. During the signing ceremony, Prof Anlu Zhang and China Group Coordinator Jerry Sun reviewed the past and current collaborations between both sides. Beyond the exchange of research interests and cooperation ideas, both sides agreed to envisage a set of mutual activities, such as joint research project, bilateral conferences, joint PhD student training and summer schools.