From 19th to 22nd May, 2024, representatives from the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Secretariat, including Chief Executive Jennifer George, Programme Officer Kyle Esperanza Zuleta, and Dr. Taej Mundkur, Vice Chair of the Technical sub-Committee, visited the Science Unit of the EAAFP Secretariat at Beijing Forestry University (BFU). The visit included interactions with Mr. Wang Hongyuan, Party Committee Secretary of BFU; Professor An Lizhe, President of BFU; representatives from the International Exchange and Cooperation Office; the School of Ecology and Nature Conservation; Center for East Asian–Australasian Flyway Studies (CEAAF); and EAAFP interns from BFU.
Meeting with the Party Committee Secretary of BFU, Mr. Wang Hongyuan. ©️ Science Unit
During the meeting, Mr. Wang Hongyuan emphasised that addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity require advancements in science and technology as well as the nurturing of young talent. He highlighted the important role of the university in this regard and expressed hope for stronger cooperation between the two sides. He proposed joint efforts in creating and sharing knowledge in flyway ecology, environmental science, and biodiversity conservation, and the establishment of a Flyway University Alliance to cultivate a large number of international youths engaged in global ecological protection efforts.
Meeting with the President of BFU, Professor An Lizhe. ©️ Science Unit
Professor An Lizhe extended a warm welcome to the delegation. He elaborated on the academic strengths and potential of BFU in disciplines related to terrestrial ecosystems and emphasised the significance of organising the science symposium for both sides. BFU will continue to optimise the global pattern of ecological civilisation education and contribute to global sustainable development.
Ms. George indicated that Beijing Forestry University is an outstanding institution and expressed her gratitude for BFU’s long-standing support of the EAAFP Secretariat and its Science Unit. She particularly appreciated the university’s initiative in sending excellent young students to intern at the Secretariat based in Incheon. She emphasised that China’s significant contributions through hosting the Science Unit have set a model for all EAAFP government partners. Ms. George strongly supported joint efforts in conducting cross-regional collaborative research and actions. With the support of Beijing Forestry University, she expressed confidence in successfully organising the EAAFP Science Symposium. Both parties also discussed topics such as promoting common human values, exchanged views on how to conduct internationally impactful activities, and reached consensus on co-hosting the EAAFP Science Symposium in October and establishing the Flyway University Alliance.
After the meeting, Ms. Jennifer George and her delegation visited the university’s History Hall, Natural Historical Museum, and alumni company Green Garden Group Co., LTD. They also had a friendly exchange with EAAFP interns from various BFU schools and met Professor Ding Changqing, Chair of EAAFP Baer’s Pochard Task Force.
Group photo with Dr. Taej Mundkur, Vice Chair of EAAFP’s Technical sub-Committee (second from the left). ©️ Science Unit
Visit to the Forest and Grassland Survey and Planning Institute of The State Forestry and Grassland Administration. ©️ Science Unit
Visit to Green Garden Group. ©️ Science Unit
Visit to the History Hall of BFU. ©️ Science Unit
Meeting with interns from BFU. ©️ Science Unit
Encounter with wild Mandarin Ducks on the BFU campus. ©️ Science Unit
Meeting with the Chair of Baer’s Pochard Task Force, Prof. Ding Changqing. ©️Kyle Esperanza Zuleta
©️Science Unit
