The Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning (IARRP) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) held the 2020 college student summer camp by video conferences from August 6 to 7.

The event was intended to arouse the interest of young students in agricultural scientific research and enable more outstanding students to learn about the institute’s scientific research strength and characteristics.

The camp was conducted by video conference for the first time. More than 50 students from China’s 34 colleges and universities, including those from China Agricultural University, Northwest A&F University, and Huazhong Agricultural University.

An online opening ceremony of the event was held, and was attended by Yang Peng, Director of the IARRP, CAAS, deputy directors Zhou Wei and Wu Wenbin as well as Liu Shuang, head of the Scientific Affairs Administration Office, and Zhang Jianfeng, deputy head of the Scientific Affairs Administration Office, and representatives of teachers and students of innovation teams of different fields of the institute.

Yang, on behalf of the institute, expressed a warm welcome and congratulations to all participants. He hoped the event would help college students have a deeper understanding of the institute and enable more aspiring young people to devote themselves to agricultural science and technology innovation and make contributions to work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers.

Liu introduced the institute's disciplines, scientific research and innovation capabilities, and platforms.

Zhang presided over the subject promotion session, at which backbone members of the institute’s innovation teams gave lively and interesting reports on the topics of soil, fertilizers, and the role of big data in remote sensing. Students discussed questions on learning and scientific research with experts of different research fields.

In addition, renowned experts such as Zhou Wei, Wu Wenbin, Luo Qiyou, Zhang Bin, Wei Hailei and Wang Ligang gave lectures on innovative and efficient utilization of nutrient resources, agricultural data empowerment, rural revitalization in China, soil function and continuous management, pseudo single cells and ecology, during the event.

The participants also had a look at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning through live broadcasting, experiencing the strong scientific research atmosphere of the institute.

Han Tianfu, a PhD candidate of IARRP, CAAS, shared his study and life during the doctoral period, and other students at the institute answered questions from the camp participants.

The institute also held an online comprehensive interview during the event. Instructors were deeply impressed by the students’ high professionalism and vigorous attitude.