PRESS RELEASE
22 December 2025
Yangzhou University hosted the Academic Strategic Symposium with Institutions of Higher Education and Research from Pacific Island Countries in early December, bringing together government representatives, university leaders, researchers, and international partners to strengthen academic cooperation and scientific collaboration across the Pacific region.
Distinguished guests included Director General Nelson Simbiken, First Secretary Ruben Enoch, Mr. Andrew Taylor Awa, Executive International Relations Officer of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), Dean Chen Xin, Mayor Chen Jun, and representatives from government, academia, and industry. Yangzhou University also acknowledged the support of the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences and provincial and municipal science and technology authorities.
In his keynote address, the President of Yangzhou University welcomed the Pacific delegations and reaffirmed the Universityโs commitment to building long-term academic and research partnerships that support shared development priorities.
With a 123-year history, Yangzhou University is a comprehensive institution supported by Jiangsu Province, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The University is recognised internationally for its strengths in agriculture, animal science, veterinary science, and related research fields.
Representing SINU, Mr. Andrew Taylor Awa met with the President of Yangzhou University and reaffirmed SINUโs commitment to strengthening academic collaboration. He highlighted the importance of partnerships that support food security, agricultural innovation, and human resource development in the Pacific region.
A key outcome of the symposium was the inauguration of the Joint Laboratory for Food and Food Security, which will focus on food security, sustainable agriculture, nutrition, public health, and applied research and technology transfer among partner institutions.
Both Yangzhou University and Pacific Island institutions agreed to strengthen cooperation in joint research, academic and staff exchanges, talent development, and the practical application of research outcomes through a long-term cooperation mechanism.
The symposium also featured a presentation by Mr. Alex Makini titled โInnovation and Global Cooperationโ, highlighting the role of international partnerships in addressing shared development challenges.
An interim initialling of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was conducted by authorised representatives, reflecting a shared commitment to formalising collaboration ahead of a future official signing.
The symposium concluded with both sides expressing confidence that the engagement marks an important step toward sustained academic cooperation and mutually beneficial research outcomes for the Pacific region.
ENDS//