On November 1st, 2024, Ms. Julia Wang, Head of International department at the University of Leeds, Professor Gong Yunyun from the University of Leeds, and Associate Professor Mike Routledge from the University of Leicester visited the School of Food and Biological Engineering. More than 80 people, including Zou Shijian, Deputy Director of the International Department of Jiangsu University, Zhou Cunshan, Vice Dean of the School of Food and Biological Engineering, undergraduate and graduate students of the School of Food and Biological Engineering, participated in this event.

The cooperative education negotiation meeting was held at the room 302 of the School of Food and Biological Engineering. Zhou Cunshan first welcomed the arrival of the experts and briefly introduced the current cooperation between the Chinese and the British projects. Zou Shijian also spoke about the cooperation that exsits between Jiangsu University and the University of Leeds and proposed the intention of further cooperation. Ms. Julia Wang and Professor Gong Yunyun discussed the existing problems in the current cooperation project with the attending leaders, and reached a preliminary intention for a new cooperative education.

Subsequently, expert presentations were held in the third lecture hall of the conference center, chaired by Zhou Cunshan. The presentations were conducted through a combination of online and offline methods, attracting numerous teachers, graduate students, and international students to participate. Professor Gong Yunyun from the University of Leeds gave an academic report on the University of Leeds Food safety and nutrition research update, an introduction of the School and their programme.

Associate Professor Mike Routledge from the University of Leicester presented an academic report titled “Metabolomic changes associated with aflatoxin exposure in children from the CHAIN cohort”.

Dr. Evi Paximada from the University of Leeds shared the content of " My Food Science and Innovation research in University of Leeds " online.

Professor Nicholas Watson from the University of Leeds also gave an online academic presentation on "Artificial Intelligence in Food Science".

Dr. Ruixian from the University of Leeds shared his academic journey and career path from Jiangsu University to the University of Leeds.

The reports of the experts were rich in content, easy to understand, enthusiastic, and fascinating. After the report, Professor Gong Yunyun, Associate Professor Mike Routledge, the attending teachers and students had a lively discussion.

The reports and exchanges of experts have played a positive role in the development of our food science and engineering discipline. Through this lecture, the research perspectives of teachers and students have been broadened, and the discipline construction of food science and engineering has been effectively strengthened, playing a positive role in promoting the internationalization of the School of Food and Biological Engineering. This academic exchange will activity provide a platform for more communication and cooperation between Jiangsu University, the University of Leeds and the University of Leicester in the UK. (School of Food and Biological Engineering)