China, Pakistan Universities Expand Microbial Research Cooperation to Boost Agricultural Innovation
Independent Report
BEIJING, July 19: China and Pakistan have agreed to strengthen cooperation in microbial research and agricultural sciences as representatives from the College of Life Sciences, Shihezi University, and the University of Haripur held a symposium on microbiomics, outlining plans for joint research and academic collaboration.
During the symposium, Professor Syeda Asma Bano of the University of Haripur presented her team’s latest research achievements in molecular plant pathology, biological control and beneficial microbes for combating soil-borne crop diseases. Professor Sun Yanfei of Shihezi University shared research on plant-microbe interaction mechanisms and the functional analysis of rhizobacteria, highlighting opportunities for scientific collaboration.
The two universities agreed to combine their expertise in arid-region microbiology and molecular biology to pursue joint international research projects, establish postgraduate training programmes and expand academic exchanges aimed at addressing agricultural and environmental challenges.
The collaboration reflects the growing educational partnership between China and Pakistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0. Shihezi University has already established partnerships with the University of Haripur, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, and other Pakistani institutions in life sciences, information technology, agriculture and basic sciences through joint research, faculty and student exchanges, graduate programmes and laboratory development.
In addition to academic cooperation, Shihezi University has organized specialized training programmes on agricultural water-saving technologies for Pakistani professionals, further strengthening scientific collaboration and knowledge sharing between the two countries.
