On July 6th, 2016, the signing and unveiling ceremony of Joint Institute of Environmental Research & Education (JIE) LEC-SCAU-GIG was held in SCAU.

    JIE was co-established by South China Agricultural University(SCAU), Lancaster University(LU) and Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences(GIG). Attendees of the ceremony include Prof. Mark Smith, Lancaster University President , Xu Yigang, GIG Director, and Mr. Andrew Massey, British Consul-General in Guangzhou.    

    Prof. Li Dasheng, Chairman of SCAU University Board, extended a warm welcome to all guests and sincere congratulations on the establishment of JIE. He pointed out, in his address, that JIE promotes research and educational collaborations in environmental fields. Members of JIE could jointly tackle environmental issues, advance high-level research, cultivate innovative talents, and facilitate the application of scientific research. 
Prof. Mark Smith, President of Lancaster University, Xu Yigang, Director of Institute Director of Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Mr. Andrew Massey, British Consul General in Guangzhou, later delivered a speech, expressing congratulations and expectations for the institute to become a platform of high-level substantive cooperation. Later, the representatives of three sides signed the agreement and jointly unveiled JIE. After the ceremony, the guests visited the JIE building under construction.  

    JIE explores SCAU’s strengths in Agricultural Resources, Environment Science, Forestry and Ecology, as well as leading disciplines of Lancaster University Environment Center. It is committed to tackling international environment issues, such as  soil, water, green mining and new energy technology, aimed to build a state-level agricultural environment platform and invite high-level scientists for research and educational collaborations .