On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of Northwest A&F University (NWAFU) and the 5th anniversary of the initiative of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training, the 3rd Agricultural University Presidents’ Forum of SCO Countries, hosted by NWAFU, was held in Yangling on September 19th.

With the theme of “Jointly Promoting High-Quality Development of SCO Agricultural Education, Science, and Technology Cooperation”, the forum was attended by over 80 representatives from nearly 30 universities and research institutes in China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Iran and Turkmenistan. Participants engaged in exchanges centered on scientific and educational cooperation in a digitalization context among agricultural institutions in SCO countries. The discussions aimed at jointly building a community with a shared future for agricultural education, science, technology, and talents within SCO countries. The opening ceremony was presided over by Luo Jun, Vice President of Northwest A&F University. Shukurov Alisher, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Xi Ru, second-level inspector of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the Ministry of Education, Liu Hong (online), President of Dalian University of Foreign Languages, and Director of the Chinese Office of SCO University. Wu Pute, President of Northwest A&F University, addressed at the opening ceremony.

Shukurov extended his congratulations on the 90th anniversary of Northwest A&F University, and introduced the cooperation between China and Uzbekistan, encompassing collaborations between Uzbekistani universities, research institutions and Northwest A&F University. He hoped that building upon existing partnerships, the establishment of Tashkent Branch of Northwest A&F University would serve as a bridge to foster closer ties with Northwest A&F University , as well as other Chinese universities and research institutes, thereby promoting mutual development.

Xi Ru introduced the third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, National Education Conference, and Ministry of Education’s support for educational cooperation and construction of the SCO University. She highly praised Northwest A&F University for its high-quality progress in carrying out key construction tasks for SCO Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training. Xi expressed her hope that the participants would further strengthen cooperation by focusing on enhancing the level and quality of talent training, promoting mutual understanding among the peoples, and enhancing capabilities to support economic and social development, jointly offering technical assistance and talent support for comprehensive cooperation in various fields within the SCO.

Liu Hong introduced the construction of the SCO University and related work undertaken, emphasizing the commitment to continue enhancing the friendship and cooperation between the SCO universities and world-class universities as well as key project universities. She proposed to deepen open education and international exchanges and cooperation, positioning the SCO University as a pivotal bridge connecting China with the world, with the aim of contributing to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Wu Pute introduced the contributions made by NWAFU over its 90-year history in promoting agricultural development in arid regions, advancing agricultural modernization in China, and fostering agricultural science and education. He also introduced the university’s active involvement in the construction of the SCO Agricultural Base, and put forward three initiatives for future cooperation. Firstly, Wu emphasized the need to innovate cooperation methods to enhance cooperation effectiveness. Secondly, he advocated for sharing development opportunities and jointly exploring development pathways. Thirdly, he called for making new contributions to building a community with a shared future for agricultural education among SCO countries. Wu encouraged all participants to translate the insights gained at the forum into concrete actions, and actively contribute to the cooperation and development of agricultural education, science and technology, and talent training in SCO countries.

In July this year, President Xi Jinping attended the 24th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State and was invited to pay a state visit to Kazakhstan. A key project initiated by our university, the China-Kazakhstan Agricultural Science and Education Center, in collaboration with Kazakh Agro-Technical Research University, M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University, and Shakarim University, was included in the list of outcomes from the meeting between the heads of state of China and Kazakhstan. The inauguration ceremony for the China-Kazakhstan Agricultural Science and Education Center was jointly conducted by President Wu Pute of NWAFU, Vice-Rector Aitzhan Abdyrov of Kazakh Agro-Technical Research University, Vice-Rector Aygul Nurpesova of M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University, and First Vice President Yerassyl Dulatbay of Shakarim University.

At the forum, 17 Chinese and foreign guests delivered keynote speeches focusing on agricultural digitization, industry-education integration, agricultural mechanization, biobreeding, and international cooperation in agricultural education and technology. These guests included Zhang Aiping, Secretary of the Party Committee of Tarim University, Fateh Muhammad Marri, President of Sindh Agriculture University in Pakistan; Khushvaktov Hakim Abdulkhakovich, Vice-Rector of Samarkand State University, Shukhrat Shokirov, Vice-Rector of National Research University-Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers in Uzbekistan, Alexey Nikolayevich Bobryshev, Vice-Rector of the Stavropol State Agrarian University in Russia, Aitzhan Abdyrov, Vice-Rector of Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University (KATRU) in Kazakhstan, Mushtaq Ahmad, Academician of Quaid-i-Azam University, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Plant Sciences in Pakistan, Risbek Nurgaziev, Academician of the NAS of the KR, Academician of the RAS, President of Kyrgyz National Agrarian University named after K.I.Skryabin, Wang Yong, Vice President of Shandong Agricultural University, Sharif Bobozoda, Vice-Rector of Tajik Agrarian University named after Shirinshoh Shohtemur; Aliaksei Miranovich, First Vice-Rector of Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University, Yerasu Dulatbay, Vice President of Shakarim University of Semay in Kazakhstan, Yevgenia Litvinskaya, Vice President for Academic Affairs of Baranovichi State University, Andrei Polukhin, Director of Federal Scientific Center of Legumes and Great Crops in Russia, Komlach Dmitry, General Director of Scientific and Practical Center of the NAS of Belarus for Agricultural Mechanization, Ina Bruna, Director of the Plant Growth Regulation and Development Laboratory of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, and Abdulahit Jalizoda, President of the Institute of Economy and Trade of Tajik State University of Commerce in Khujand. Guests at the forum said that exchange of ideas, enhancement of friendships, and promotion of cooperation were conducive to working together to create a new chapter in SCO agricultural science and education cooperation.

On June 14, 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a significant initiative to establish an SCO Agricultural Base at the 19th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State. Over the past five years, in collaboration with Yangling Agricultural High-tech Industry Demonstration Zone, Northwest A&F University has made high-quality progress in its key tasks of establishing Modern Agricultural Development Research Institute, International Joint Laboratories, and joining the SCO University (leading the construction towards modern agriculture), as well as organizing people to people exchanges among universities in SCO countries. The university has also organized experts and scholars to lead or participate in the construction of high-level modern agricultural technology demonstration parks, enhance the informatization level of agricultural technology cooperation, and cultivate a team for the promotion of modern agricultural technology. These efforts have contributed the wisdom and demonstrated the commitment of Northwest A&F University to the construction of the SCO Agricultural Base, helping achieve breakthroughs from a “Chinese initiative” to a “major shared platform” and from a “vision plan” to “tangible achievements”.

In 2021, with the guidance and support of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the Ministry of Education, Northwest A&F University joined hands with 21 universities from SCO countries to establish the SCO Agricultural Universities Alliance. This alliance has extensively promoted exchanges and cooperation in agricultural higher education and research, driving high-quality development in SCO agricultural education, science, and technology cooperation.

Translated by: Li Xinran

Proofread by: Zhang Xiaorong