Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University in Yangling, China recently hosted the 3rd International Conference on Agricultural Extension and Technology Transfer. The annual conference is part of the growing US-China Agricultural Alliance that began with CSU’s strategic partnership with Anhui Agricultural University.
Over 100 people from Chinese and US universities attended the conference. Participants included representatives from 39 Chinese universities and central agencies including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education. Colorado State University, Oregon State University and Purdue University delegates attended the conference, held September 11 – 14, 2017.
University-based Agricultural Alliance Grows
“The partnership and our university-based agricultural alliance continues to grow,” said Lou Swanson, vice president for Engagement. “CSU and Anhui Agricultural University (AAU) are the lead institutions for facilitating greater partnerships between the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, Chinese agricultural universities, and China’s very large Extension system, located in the Ministry of Agriculture.”
This year, representatives from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences attended at the conference. The Academy is one of China’s lead institutions focused on the social science dimensions of agricultural and rural development.
Purdue University Delivers Conference Keynote
Dr. Jason R. Henderson, associate dean in the College of Agriculture and director of Purdue Extension delivered the conference keynote address. “Although the Extension systems in the US and China are different, there are amazing similarities in purpose and a shared understanding that experiential, hands-on learning are the foundation of Extension in both cultures,” said Henderson. “We have a lot that we can learn from each other.”
Anhui Agricultural University will hold the 4th International Conference on Agricultural Extension and Technology Transfer October 15 – 18, 2018, as part of AAU’s 80th anniversary celebrations.
