UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min represented UTAR to attend the High-level Forum on Shandong International Flower Science and Technology Cooperation, which took place on 29 June 2023 at Jinan Nanjiao Hotel, Shandong, China.

The forum was jointly organised by the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) and the Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province. Themed ‘Flower Technology Creates a Beautiful World’, the forum saw academic discussions among scholars and experts from the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France, Denmark, Belgium, Romania, Israel, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and Turkey. The academic topics ranged from flower genomics and molecular regulation; innovative utilisation of germplasm resources; biological breeding and industrialisation technology, and flower industry and rural revitalisation.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) exchange ceremony between UTAR and SAAS was also organised on the same day.

The MoU was pre-signed by UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat and SAAS President Prof Li Xiangdong. It was exchanged by Prof Goi and SAAS Vice President Dr Liu Kaichang.

The renewal of this MoU aimed to broaden collaborative research in the field of agriculture and facilitate joint talent training programmes, academic development exchanges, internship programmes and joint supervision of master and doctoral programmes.

In his remarks, Prof Goi said, “For the last few years, UTAR and SAAS have been maintaining a close partnership. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, we organised online workshops, which were received well by the staff, students and the general public. Hence, it is our great pleasure to be able to sign another MoU with SAAS. I firmly believe this MoU will push our partnership to another peak.”

Also attending the forum were Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province Deputy Director Pan Jun, Foreign Affairs Office of Shandong Province Deputy Director-General Sun Yebao, SAAS President Prof Li Xiangdong, Chinese Society for Horticultural Science Vice Chairman Zhang Qixiang, Shandong Agricultural University Vice President Dr Wang Yong, SAAS Secretary of Party Committee Li Zhangsheng, agricultural scholars and experts from around the world.