On the morning of November 16, the founding assembly of the“Belt and Road” University Alliance for Food Science and Educationwas successfully held at Mei Ballroom, Worldhotel Grand Juna Wuxi. Hong Liu, the deputy director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, and Liu Xia, vice mayor of the Wuxi Municipal Government, attended the meeting, with other attendants including presidents, professors, experts and scholars from 49 domestic and foreign universities in 27 countries along the "Belt and Road". Xu Yan, vice president of Jiangnan University, presided over the conference.
Vice president Xu Yan presided over the assembly
At the beginning of the conference, Zhu Qingbao, secretary of the Party committee of Jiangnan University, delivered a welcome speech to the leaders and guests from home and abroad. He pointed out that the food issue is not only a common challenge facing the international community, but also an opportunity for our joint development. Jiangnan University has conducted long-term cooperation in food discipline with its sister universities over years. For example, the International Conference on Food Science and Technology, co-initiated with the University of California Davis, has been successfully held for 12 times throughout 27 years since 1991. He noted that Jiangnan University is willing to work with members of various countries to promote international cooperation in food education science and technology, and shape a better future.
Zhu Qingbao, secretary of the Party committee of Jiangnan University, made a speech
Hong Liu, deputy director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, extended his best wishes and hopes for the development of the Alliance in his speech. He pointed out that education plays a fundamental and leading role in the joint construction of the "Belt and Road". As a major province of education, Jiangsu will take the initiative to seize the opportunities and actively promote international exchanges and cooperation in the field of education on the basis of the "Belt and Road" initiative. Food science and engineering of Jiangnan University islisted in the national construction plan of first-class disciplines. The founding of the Alliance indicates the University’s aspiration and action of making contributions to the "Belt and Road" initiative as well as the development of the world food safety industry, for which Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education will give its all-out support. He also stressed that the Alliance should give full play to its unique advantages in the in-depth integration of science and education, joint training of talents, and cultural exchange and cooperation so as to cultivate high-quality personnel for the food industry and to make positive contributions to the “all-round integration and major progress” of the global food supply, food safety and food science research.
Hong Liu, deputy director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, made a speech
Subsequently, Liu Xia, vice mayor of Wuxi municipal government of Jiangsu province addressed the conference. She said that Wuxi city has actively responded to the State's "Belt and Road" initiative, consistently "bringing in talents at a higher level and going global at a greater pace," and constantly expanding the breadth and depth of opening up to the outside world. We will effectively enhance the core competitiveness of the region and its competitiveness in the international market. Jiangnan University led the establishment of the world's first“Belt and Road” University Alliance for Food Science and Education. Not only has it created an important platform for Jiangnan University to uplift the level of government-industry-university-research cooperation and to enhance the training of high-level personnel, but it also has accelerated the pace of Wuxi's opening up to the outside world and promoted the high-quality development of the economy and society. Liu hoped that Jiangnan University would take this conference as an opportunity to pragmatically intensify communication and cooperation with all parties of the Alliance, further exchange and cooperation in the field of education and personnel training, and strive to construct a new framework of food education in colleges and universities.
Liu Xia, vice mayor of Wuxi municipal government of Jiangsu Province, addressed the conference
At the founding assembly of the Alliance, theTaihu Lake Declarationand the list of President, Secretary-General, and members of the Alliance were announced. As mentioned in the Declaration,if you want to go fast, walk alone; and if you want to go far, walk together. To meet today’s opportunities and challenges,it is essential and urgent to construct a high-level international and innovative personnel system, promote the development of food science, and upgrade the food industry. We call on the members of the Alliance to work hand in hand to educate people, cooperate and share and strive for our coexistence. We will jointly build a multinational food industry circle, and write a new chapter of mutually beneficial cooperation and common development.
At the launching ceremony of the Alliance, 16 presidents of the Alliance members took the stage together and touched a large screen to jointly launch the founding ceremony of the Alliance, witnessing the wonderful moment of the Alliance's establishment. Professor Chen Jian, the newly appointed President of the Alliance, awarded license to each member of the Alliance for the conclusion of the ceremony.
Founding Ceremony of the“Belt and Road” University Alliance for Food Science and Education
Professor Chen Jian, the newly appointed Chair of the Alliance, awarded license to each member of the Alliance
After the ceremony, Professor Ralph J. Hexter, provost and executive vice chancellor of University of California, Davis, spoke on behalf of the members of the Alliance. He said that the Alliance will be able to pool the superior resources of universities in various countries and join hands in response to the current global challenges in the field of food supply and safety. He adds that University of California Davis has one of the world's highest levels of agriculture, food and environment sciences. Similarly, the food discipline of Jiangnan University ranks first in China and second in the world. In this context, the two universities have established a strong friendship and longstanding cooperative relationship. Prof. Hexter stressed that all members of the Alliance should commit themselves to improving the quality of life of global citizens, providing new ideas and approaches, and contributing to the sustainable development of the Alliance.
Professor Ralph J. Hexter spoke on behalf of the members of the Alliance
Finally, Professor Chen Jian, President of the Alliance, pointed out in his speech that the "Belt and Road" carries the conception of prosperity and development of all countries along the Road, and also conforms to the trend of the times of "peace, cooperation, development, and win-win results". He said that the establishment of the Alliance is an innovative move to serve the global food discipline and industry with a brand new attitude. It has promoted faculties, experts and scholars at home and abroad to enhance understanding, establish an international vision, and inspire creativity, thus contributing to the development of the global food industry. He also stressed that the Alliance creates a new opportunity for the development of the food industries along the Road. Leading the high-quality development of the global food industry, this exploration of international cooperation in education also provides new ideas for international exchanges and cooperation among countries. Prof. Chen concluded that Jiangnan University, as the president unit, would sincerely conduct relationship with all members under the Regulations of the Alliance, and jointly build a bright future for the food industry.
Chen Jian, Chair of the Alliance, addressed the conference
Based onThe Taihu Lake Declarationand the Regulations of the Alliance, universities have established long-term cooperative partnerships. Starting with the founding assembly of the Alliance, we will continue to promote the development of education and science and technology, and drive the transformation and upgrading of related industries, thus making progress in the fields of food education, science and technology, and people's livelihood in the member countries of the Alliance.
All the Members of the“Belt and Road” University Alliance for Food Science and Education
