On January 6, Prof. Liza Korsten, President of the African Academy of Sciences, visited the university, and Vice President Wu Jiasheng received the guests and had a discussion. Relevant persons in charge of International Affairs Office, Talent Office, Science and Technology Office, Forestry and Biological Sciences Institute and Prof. Zhou Xudong of Forestry and Biological Sciences Institute attended the discussion.

Wu Jiasheng welcomed Liza Korsten's arrival. He pointed out that relying on the advantageous characteristics of agriculture and forestry disciplines, our university has long been committed to promoting the sustainable development of agriculture and forestry through scientific and technological innovation, and contributing the wisdom of ZACS in addressing global challenges such as climate change, ecological restoration and poverty reduction. As a top scientific research institution in the African continent, the African Academy of Sciences plays an important role in promoting the building of regional scientific and technological innovation capacity and the sustainable development of the continent and the world. The two sides are expected to fully explore the potential of cooperation and jointly contribute wisdom and strength to the sustainable development of mankind.

Liza Korsten highly agreed with this and emphasized that the African Academy of Sciences has long been committed to the realization of Africa's sustainable development goals, fully integrating the continent's scientific research resources, actively cooperating with the European Union, the African Union, UNESCO and other international institutions, cultivating high-end scientific research talents for Africa, and promoting the enhancement of Africa's scientific research strength and the level of scientific and technological innovation. Liza Korsten said that she looked forward to this visit to match the cooperation between higher education and scientific research institutions in China and Africa, and to jointly promote the in-depth cooperation between the two sides in the cultivation of high-end talents and the development of scientific research projects.

At the symposium, the two sides also carried out in-depth exchanges especially on the topics of building joint laboratories, joint training of doctoral students and scientific research cooperation. Practical opinions and suggestions were put forward on the mode of cooperation, practical difficulties faced and measures to solve them. At the end of the meeting, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation and held a ceremony to present the certificate of Prof. Zhou Xudong elected as a member of the African Academy of Sciences.

Professor Liza Korsten's visit brings new opportunities for the university to expand high-level talent resources in Africa, deepen exchanges and cooperation with African universities and scientific research institutions as well as joint training of doctoral students, which is of great significance to promote the university's internationalization at a higher level.