UniSQ leads global collaboration at climate-smart forum in China

The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) has played a pivotal role in the inaugural Climate Future & Smart Agriculture Forum held at Lanzhou University in China.

The initiative – led by UniSQ and supported by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations and the Australian Embassy in China – brought together leading experts from Australia and China to explore solutions for the impacts of climate change on agriculture and our regional communities.

Hosted by UniSQ Council Member and alumnus Heidi Dugan, the forum featured a keynote speech from UniSQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor John Bell, who highlighted UniSQ’s innovations in climate-smart agriculture.

UniSQ Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Karen Nelson emphasised the need for improved international collaboration.

“Climate change is an area of mutual concern for China and Australia. This was highlighted by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during his visit to China in 2023, and again by the Premier of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang during his visit to Australia this year,” Professor Nelson said.

UniSQ Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Ren Yi, who attended the event, highlighted the significance of the new partnerships.

“Seeing experts from both nations work together on this critical issue reinforces the importance of global collaboration in transforming agriculture for the future,” he said.

The forum at Lanzhou University was followed by an exchange study tour, giving emerging researchers opportunities to explore Chinese agricultural practices across Gansu and Shaanxi provinces

UniSQ will host the second forum in June 2025, continuing its commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices.

The initiative was funded by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.

Australian partners include Trade & Investment Queensland, Study Queensland, Study Toowoomba, Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise, Toowoomba Regional Council, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Agrifutures, and Austrade.

Chinese partners include Lanzhou University, Hebei University of Economics and Business, Northwest A&F University, Central University of Finance and Economics, and Jilin University.