On November 7, 2024, Professor Yuan Lixing, Dean of the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences at China Agricultural University（CAU）, led a delegation to visit the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST). During the visit, they met with Address Malata, the Vice Chancellor of MUST, and held the official opening ceremony for the "Science and Technology Backyard African Center" jointly established by CAU and MUST. The ceremony was attended by Vice Dean of Yantai Institute of CAU, Luo Wenhai, Associate Professor Jiao Xiaoqiang from the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Zhao Xiaohui from the International Office , and PhD students Jiang Wei, Li Yuzhe, from the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences.
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Vice Chancellor Malata warmly welcomed the visiting delegation from CAU. She provided an introduction to the history, development, teaching, and research innovation at MUST. She emphasized that MUST's commitment to promoting technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship through talent cultivation aligns with the goals of CAU. Malata noted that through the initiative of training local students in Malawi and recommending them for practical experiences at the Science and Technology Backyard in Malawi, both local farmers and university students benefit, offering new opportunities and approaches for practical learning and technological innovation. She expressed that the agricultural cooperation between CAU and MUST is of significant importance in advancing the mission of both universities. MUST is committed to promoting this cooperation, which will further advance agricultural development in Malawi and contribute to the partnership.
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Professor Yuan Lixing, Dean of the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and introduced the background of the collaboration between CAU and MUST. He also shared the work CAU has been undertaking in the three Science and Technology Backyard in Malawi since 2023. Dean Yuan emphasized the strong foundation of bilateral cooperation, highlighting that the establishment of the "Science and Technology Backyard African Center" marks a new breakthrough in the collaboration between the two institutions. He noted that this center represents an important step for CAU in the field of agricultural science and technology cooperation in Africa. He further stressed that the center embodies both universities' shared vision of addressing agricultural development challenges through scientific innovation and talent cultivation. He hopes that through this center, the agricultural technologies of the Science and Technology Backyard will extend to Malawi and other neighboring African countries, jointly promoting China-Africa agricultural cooperation and the green development of African agriculture.
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Following the speeches, both sides held a plaque and inauguration ceremony for the "Science and Technology Backyard African Center".
After the ceremony, the delegation from CAU engaged in in-depth discussions with the Vice Chancellor of MUST on topics such as the university’s mission, talent cultivation, and technological innovation. They focused on future cooperation regarding the Science and Technology Backyard African Center, specifically around the exchange of researchers, agricultural technology promotion, and the sharing of academic resources. These discussions laid a solid foundation for the long-term development of the Science and Technology Backyard African Center.
Before the meeting, Dean Yuan Lixing and his team visited classrooms, laboratories, and the library at MUST. They also engaged in discussions with students to better understand the university’s teaching, research facilities, and talent cultivation strategies.
The establishment of the "Science and Technology Backyard African Center" will provide strong support for agricultural technology research in Malawi and other parts of Africa. It will help transform local agricultural production methods and offer new solutions to the region's food shortage challenges. This event has further solidified the partnership between CAU and MUST, opening a new chapter in agricultural science and technology cooperation between the two institutions.
Malawi University of Science and Technology News：
https://www.must.ac.mw/posts/discusses-partnership-with-cau/details