From March 18th to 20th, the U.S. delegation of China-US University-Based Agricultural Extension Alliance, led by Mr. Lou Swanson, Vice President of Colorado State University (CSU), Prof. Jim Hanson, Assistant Dean for Extension of University of Maryland (UMD), and Dr. Zhang Shuting from CSU, visited AAU. The aim of this visit was to help implementing Document No.13 which was jointly issued by MOA and MOE and advancing the development of China-US University-Based Agricultural Extension Alliance. Prof. Cheng Beijiu, President of AAU, Prof. Yao Zuowen, Vice President of AAU met the delegation. The two sides exchanged views on promoting the development of the Alliance. Leaders from New Rural Development Institute and International Exchange Cooperate Centre also attended the meeting.
President Cheng noted that the Alliance has been operated steadily with notable results being achieved by the joint efforts from both sides, becoming an important part in the scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries. Currently, the Chinese government attaches great importance to the agricultural and rural development, providing good opportunities for the deepening cooperation between the colleges from two sides in the field of agricultural cooperative extension service, agricultural informatization and 4-H training. He suggested that a Five-Year Plan be worked out for the development of the Alliance in the future.
Mr. Swanson fully agreed with President Cheng and expressed sincere gratitude to AAU for its important role in the alliance and looked forward to further communication and cooperation.
During the visit, Vice President Yao made a thorough discussion with Mr. Swanson on agricultural personnel training and transformation of agricultural achievements, which was being highlighted in the No. 13 Document of MOA and MOE. They also talked about the schedule of 4th International Conference on Modern Agricultural Extension and Technology Transfer, China-US agricultural extension personnel station, and 4-H Youth Development in the U.S.
The U.S. delegation also visited Agricultural Commission of Anhui Province and welcomed by Tang Gaoping, General Agronomist of the Commission.
According to the China-US University-Based Agricultural Extension Alliance Agreement, CSU and AAU are the contact units of the Alliance Secretariat at each side to lead and coordinate the specific cooperation matters of the Alliance.
