International Symposium on Agricultural Genomics for Food Security and Plant-Environment Interaction in a Changing Climate
Accredited as a CUHK 60th anniversary celebratory event, The International Symposium on Agricultural Genomics for Food Security and Plant-Environment Interaction in a Changing Climate, organized from August 9 – 11, 2023 jointly by the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology (CUHK), the RGC-AoE Center for Genomic Studies on Plant-Environment Interaction for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security and Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, was a resounding success. The 3-day symposium has showcased a range of presentations that highlighted the pivotal role of genomics in shaping the future of agriculture, bringing together experts, researchers, and scholars from around the world to delve into the latest advancements in the field.
At the opening ceremony, Prof Rocky Tuan, Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, has accredited the symposium as a shining example of the theme of the University’s diamond jubilee, where great minds shine and collaborate towards the common goal of advancing agricultural genomics research for the betterment of society. He has also recognized scientists from the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and the AoE Center for Genomic Studies on Plant-Environment Interaction have been at the forefront of developing new agrobiotechnologies and approaches to improve crop productivity and sustainability.
Over 150 attendees were treated to thought-provoking keynote presentations and insightful thematic talks by renowned international and local scholars from 6 continents, to explore various aspects of agricultural genomics, including Underutilized crops and nutritional research, Genomics and functional agro-ecology, and New technological platforms. Over 30 young researchers and students also had the opportunity to showcase their work at the engaging poster sessions and gain valuable insights from experienced professionals in the field.
Fostering an environment of collaboration, the symposium has also successfully nurtured the foundation of International Consortium for Research and Applications of Legumes on August 11, 2023. Jointly founded by Prof Hon-Ming Lam (The Chinese University of Hong Kong), Prof Henry Nguyen (University of Missouri) and Prof Rajeev Varshney (Murdoch University), the newly formed consortium aimed for international cross-disciplinary and cross-boundary collaborations on legume research and applications for advancing science and agriculture. This international consortium is expected to drive the momentum of the symposium further through joint research addressing environmental sustainability.
Overall, the symposium served as a catalyst for advancing our understanding of agricultural genomics and its potential to address global challenges, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. It was a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and the dedication of the scientific community to creating a more sustainable and food-secure future. (Event photos, videos and program can be viewed here)
Over 150 attendees were treated to thought-provoking keynote presentations and insightful thematic talks by renowned international and local scholars from 6 continents, to explore various aspects of agricultural genomics.
Prof Rocky Tuan, Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong welcomed the keynote speakers at the opening ceremony.
International Consortium for Research and Applications of Legumes was founded jointly by Prof Hon-Ming Lam (The Chinese University of Hong Kong) (middle in front), Prof Henry Nguyen (University of Missouri) (right in front) and Prof Rajeev Varshney (Murdoch University) (left in front), witnessed by (starting from left at the back) Dr Sergio Feingold (National Agricultural Technology Institute), Dr Sachiko Isobe (Kazusa DNA Research Institute), Prof Christine Foyer (University of Birmingham) and Prof Ndiko Ludidi (University of Western Cape).