From March 22 to 31, 2018, at the invitation of the National Research Centre of Egypt, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel and the University of Sargodha in Pakistan, delegation led by President Chen Xiaoyang visited the three institutionsto explore cooperation possibilities.The delegation received a warm welcome at the host institutions, and signed Memorandum of Understanding with the National Research Center of Egypt and the University of Sargodha in Pakistan.They unveiled the China Pakistan Joint Research Center for Citrus Disease and Insect Pest Management.

    The delegation first visited the National Research Centre of Egypt, where they were warmly received by Prof. Mohamed Hashem, Vice Chairman of the Center. The two sides have discussed the possibility of cooperation and enhanced mutual understanding. A Memonrandum of Understanding between the two sides was signed which will providea strong foundation for further cooperationin all areas.The joint seminar on Progress on Intelligent Agriculture in China and Eygpt was hold where Zhang Yongliang, Director of theAcademic Affairs Office delivered a report on Progress on Wood Forage while Feng Lixin, Director of the International Office introduced the talent training, scientific research and international cooperation of SCAU, which aroused great interest among the Egyptian attendees. President Chen and the Chairman of the Center jointly issued the certificates to the participants from the center and other universities and research institutions in Egypt.After the seminar, President Chen and the delegation had an interview with Egypt TV.

    At Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, the delegation visited the Sde-Boqer campus and the Beer-Sheva campus. They have exchanged views on theresearch and innovation in dryland agricultureand visited the labs, teaching and research facilities.

    President Chen and Professor Zvi HaCohen, President of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev,have expressed their willingness to carry out cooperation in fields like faculty and student exchange, joint education and collaborative research. During the visit, the delegation also met with the visiting scholars and international students from China at the university. A special recruitment fair was held during which President Chen gave a detailed introduction about the history, majors, education, scientific researches and social services of SCAU to the foreign students participating in the fair, especially the strategic goal and specific methods of the construction of high-level university, and also the related policies of introducing overseas high-level talents to SCAU. At the recruitment fair, President Chen met with Mr. Sun Pengcheng, Director of the Education Section and Mr. Li Hongwei, Secondary Secetary (Scientific), Embassy of China in Israel.

    Later, at the University of Sargodha in Pakistan,the delegation visited the teaching buildings and labs of the Faculty of Agriculture and exchanged views on theprogress of the China-Pakistan Joint Agricultural Research Instituteas well as faculty exchangeand international agriculture training. Thetwo sides have achieved consensus and signed a Memorandum of Understanding. They also unveiled the China Pakistan Joint Research Center for Citrus Disease and Insect Pest Management.The two Presidents have later attended the television interview with Pakistan TV.

    This visit has effectively promoted exchanges and cooperation with the countries along the Belt and Road.The delegation is joined by Su Xiongwu, Director of President's Office, Zhang Yongliang, Director of Academic Affairs Office, Peng Xinxiang, Executive Vice Dean of Graduate School, Zhuang Chuxiong, Director of Development & Planning Office and Feng Lixin, Director of the International Office.