A delegation from Lincoln University (LU) in New Zealand visited the teaching and research bases of the College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences (CHFS) at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) on May 31, 2023. The delegation was led by Damian Lodge, Executive Vice President of LU, and accompanied by Annie Goh, Director of the International Department, Hugh Bigsby, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Business, Shannon Page, Head of the Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Environment, Society and Design, Hamish Cochrane, Director of the Department of Student Administration, Daryl Streat, Executive Vice President of the Department of Preparatory and Linguistic Studies, and Jeff Sun, Head of International Division Greater China. Zeng Hongxia, Director of International Cooperation and Exchanges at HZAU, also joined the visit.

The delegation toured the vineyard, peach, and flower bases on campus and learned about the horticultural crops teaching and research facilities. Professor Guo Dayong and Dr. Shoaib Munir from CHFS welcomed the delegation and gave a brief introduction to the bases. Professor Guo Dayong explained how the students can benefit from the opportunities to learn and practice through these facilities during their undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs. Professor Fu Xiaopeng from CHFS introduced the floriculture research base and shared the different available flower resources and learning practices for the students. Muhammad Ateeq, a doctoral student of Professor Liu Junwei from CHFS, introduced peach orchard management practices and ongoing research and training activities on different aspects of peach production.

The LU delegation expressed their interest and appreciation for the horticulture teaching and research at HZAU. Damian Lodge, Executive Vice President of LU, and Hugh Bigsby, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Business at LU, highlighted that both universities have great potential to work together in horticulture teaching and research. They hoped to explore more possibilities for cooperation and exchange in the future.