Recently, a delegation from the University of Teramo, Italy, visited Southwest China and conducted a series of scientific, technological, and cultural exchange activities.
On November 26, the university officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cultural and Scientific Research Cooperation with the delegation from the University of Teramo. The signing ceremony was attended by Professor Paola, Vice Rector of the University of Teramo, and Professor Antonello; along with ProfessorGe Xinyong, Vice President of Southwest University; LuoLei, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges; ZengLiang, Dean of the Fuling Research Institute; WuJunping, Party Secretary of the College of Food Science; ZhangQing,ViceDean of the College of Food Science at Sichuan Agricultural University; and faculty and student representatives. According to the MoU, the two parties will strengthen personnel exchanges and research collaboration, and jointly establish an International Joint Laboratory for Innovative Utilization of Plant and Fungal Resources.

In his address, ProfessorGe Xinyongextended a warm welcome to the guests from afar and provided a detailed overview of the university's general profile, the disciplinary teams and research areas of the College of Food Science, as well as its international exchanges and cooperation. He expressed his hope that both sides would leverage their complementary strengths and work together toward breakthroughs and achievements in the field of innovative utilization of plant resources—promoting Italian coffee in China while introducing Chinese tea to Italyand even the broader European market—thereby making greater contributions to the development of the global food industry.
Professor Paola shared her observations and reflections during her visit, expressing her anticipation for future cooperation with Chinese universities. She noted that China has made remarkable accomplishments in the fields of agriculture and plant resources, and expressed her hope to strengthen collaboration with outstanding Chinese scholars and research institutions to jointly advance scientific and technological progress.
The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding will deepen bilateral cooperation between China and Italy in the fields of education and science and technology, promote scientific, technological, and cultural exchanges between the two countries, and to a certain extent, make positive contributions to the sustainable development of the global tea and coffee industries.

(Contributed by LuoWei; Proofread by ZhouFang; Reviewed by WuJunping)