Peking University, Mar. 2, 2012: Neal Van Alfen, dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES), UC Davis, and DeeDee Kitterman, executive director of research and outreach, paid a visit to the School of Environment and Energy (SEE), Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School (PKUSGS).

Currently, Neal’s focuses are on the supervisions of high-end technologies and first-rate education programs, which are mainly aimed at solving the key issues of agricultural system, environment, and human society.

During the meeting session, Professor Neal Van Alfen briefly introduced CA&ES, and its achievements and future research directions. Neal said, the division of the departments of CA&ES [into Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Human Sciences] is aimed at promoting interdisciplinary study and cooperation, while providing an administrative model for UC Davis as a whole.

Quite a number of research centers and education programs at CA&ES, which are mainly in the area of environment, botany and animal studies, [such as Agricultural Sustainability Institute, UC Davis Arboretum, California Institute of Food and Agricultural Research,] are under federal subsidies. Professor Neal Van Alfen pointed out that CA&ES is leading the world in several fields. For instance, its ecology and environmental science ranks third internationally, and food and agricultural ranks first in the US.

Future development of CA&ES will mainly focus on areas such as the usage of national resources and environmental protection, stabilization of food supply, food safety and nutrition, trade and globalization, and many other forefront key issues.

At last, a brief introduction was given on the Research Center of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the System for Natural Preservation of the University of California, UC Davis participation in international affairs, as well as the advantages of the school as a whole. Professor Neal Van Alfen also took questions from keen audiences. 

Professor Geng Xu, dean of SEE, expressed welcome to the visit of Professor Neal Van Alfen, and wished a closer partnership in the future.

Written by: Li Yang
Edited by: Arthars
Source: Shenzhen Graduate School