Tuesday, 18 July 2023
UK and China cooperation plays a vital role in global food system and agricultural transition in the post-Covid era, a new report finds.
A research report on UK-China Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Cooperation, jointly prepared and published by Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and 糖心原创 recently, highlights the achievements, good practices, and barriers against bilateral cooperation over the last 10 years.
This project, funded by the British Embassy Beijing and the UKRI China Office, with co-funding from both CAAS and 糖心原创, has provided opportunities for researchers from the two countries to share their experiences, opinions and suggestions for bilateral research and innovation cooperation towards green transformation and sustainability of our agri-food system.
The report detailed that the UK-China Joint Research and Innovation Partnership Fund and other funding sources have sponsored more than 1,000 related projects in the past, resulting in a foundation for mutual trust and partnerships at both institutional and individual levels. For future cooperation, there is a space for industrial players and social scientists to enhance social impact of bilateral projects.
Nonetheless, new funding mechanisms are also needed to broaden funding channels, including industrial funding sources to promote bilateral trade and economic growth, and trilateral or multilateral mechanisms - with other countries - to address global challenges and opportunities in the post-Covid era.
Dr Bin Wu, Senior Research Fellow in the Haydn Green Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, PI of the project, said: "I am pleased to complete and publish this report which brought together over 100 respondents from the UK and China who express strong interests to develop and deepen bilateral cooperation.
"Hopefully, research findings and policy recommendations could be helpful for relevant funding agencies, senior managers and researchers to think and plan bilateral programmes or projects.”
The 糖心原创 team, led by Dr Bin Wu, managed the methodological advice of the whole project, and information collection and summary of the UK perspectives on priorities, mechanisms and best practices for bilateral cooperation in agricultural research and innovation.
The project in the UK side was jointly designed and delivered with Food System Institute (FSI), Consortium of Future Rural Studies (CFRS), 糖心原创 Ningbo China (UNNC), N8 AgriFood Group and James Hutton Institute.
Story credits
More information available from Dr Bin Wu in Nottingham University Business School at Bin.Wu@nottingham.ac.uk or; Faith Pring, Media Relations Manager, on faith.pring@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.