On December 2–3, Mr. Zhao Bing, Country Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in China, along with his delegation, visited our university for an official exchange. The visit was attended by university leadership and heads of relevant functional departments and schools, during which comprehensive and in-depth discussions were held on further deepening South–South cooperation, promoting postharvest food loss reduction, and fostering the development of globally oriented talent.
President Wu Zhishen met with Zhao Bing and his delegation
During the visit, President Wu Zhishen met with Mr. Zhao Bing and his delegation. President Wu expressed his gratitude for the long-standing trust and support extended by WFP to the university. He noted that the university is committed to leveraging this exchange as an opportunity to better align with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By integrating the university's research strengths in postharvest grain management with WFP’s global network, the two parties will engage in deeper pragmatic collaboration in areas such as the establishment of a South–South Cooperation Knowledge Sharing Platform and the cultivation of international talent.
Group photo as a memento
Subsequently, the delegation attended the “WFP–Henan University of Technology Cooperation Consultation Meeting.” At the meeting, Vice President Zhao Renyong delivered a welcome address on behalf of the university. He emphasized that food security is fundamental to human survival and development, as well as a cornerstone of world peace. As the first higher education institution in China dedicated to grain science, the university has always borne national responsibilities in mind, striving to serve both national and global food security through technological innovation and talent development. Since the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2022, the university has actively responded to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, participating deeply in WFP-led South–South cooperation projects and providing robust technical support for initiatives in countries such as Tanzania and Sri Lanka. Vice President Zhao underscored that, moving forward, the university will continue to leverage its disciplinary strengths to fully implement cooperative agreements and contribute “HUT expertise” to building a more resilient global food system.
The scene of the cooperation consultation meeting
In his remarks, Mr. Zhao Bing expressed strong appreciation for the university’s pioneering role in international education and training on food loss reduction. He highlighted that Henan University of Technology, through its systematic and well-established talent cultivation model, has effectively promoted the localization of China’s food loss reduction solutions in developing countries, successfully translating technological potential into tangible productivity for global food security. He extended sincere thanks to the university’s research teams for their professional contributions in key areas such as enhancing the rice value chain in Africa and managing postharvest losses. Mr. Zhao expressed his hope to further expand the breadth and depth of collaboration with the university, enriching the practical dimensions of South–South cooperation across multiple fronts.
Zhao Bing, the representative of the United Nations World Food Programme in China, delivered a speech
Representatives from the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation, the College of Education and Training, the Office of Science and Technology, the College of Food Science and Engineering, the College of Grain and Material Reserves, the College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and the Henan University of Technology Design Institute delivered presentations detailing the university’s distinctive strengths and practical experience in disciplinary capacity building, transformation of scientific achievements, and international educational cooperation. Additionally, participating units including the College of Civil Engineering, the College of Information Science and Engineering, the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, the College of Bioengineering, the College of Electrical Engineering, the College of Environmental Engineering, the College of Management, the College of Economics and Trade, the College of Design and Art, and the Journal Editorial Office submitted specific collaboration proposals aligned with their disciplinary features, fully demonstrating the university’s multidisciplinary integration and comprehensive capacity to support global food security initiatives.
Vice Principal Zhao Renyong delivered a speech
Furthermore, the delegation conducted an in-depth inspection of key facilities, including the National Engineering Research Center for Deep Processing of Wheat and Corn, the Grain and Oil Practical Training Center, the Stored Product Insect Specimen Museum, the Mechanical Engineering Innovation Experiment Center, the Civil and Architectural Experiment Center, the College of Design and Art, and the China Grain Museum. These visits provided detailed insights into the university’s scientific innovation capabilities and cultural heritage across the entire grain industry chain.
Visit and investigate
Realizing the vision of “Zero Hunger” and advancing the building of a global community with a shared future for mankind represent shared values upheld by both Henan University of Technology and WFP. This consultation not only marks a milestone in deepening practical cooperation between the two sides but also reaffirms their close partnership and strategic alignment as companions in global food security governance. Looking ahead, both parties will continue to translate their shared mission into concrete collaborative actions, vigorously supporting the development of green and digital food loss reduction technologies, and contributing “HUT wisdom” and “HUT solutions” toward building a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable global food governance system.
