During the period of April 2-6, 2012, Prof. Paul Van Cauwenberge, rector of Ghent University, Prof. Philippe De Maeyer, head of Department of Geography, Prof. Jean Bourgeois, head of Department of Archaeology and Mr. Domien Proost, Chief Representative East Flanders and Ghent University China Platform, visited Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

During the symposium, Prof. Paul Van Cauwenberge introduced the history, scientific research achievements and international education strategy of Ghent University. Prof. CHEN Xi, director of XIEG, said that he hopes to increase international scientific cooperation, academic exchanges, personnel exchanges and personnel training between XIEG and Ghent University in the future.

Professors ZHAO Chengyi, YANG Zhaoping and LIU Wenjiang from XIEG introduced the water resources sustainable utilization and land management research of Tarim River in the context of global changes, the application for natural heritage of Xinjiang Tianshan and the experiences of desertification control in Xinjiang, respectively.

In order to further broaden the exchanges in the aspects of science, culture and science and technology between two sides, XIEG and Ghent University signed a cooperative agreement, strengthening future cooperation on scientific research, personnel exchanges and personnel training.

During the period, Prof. Paul Van Cauwenberge and other three fellows visited Turpan Eremophytes Botanical Garden, CAS and Fukang National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station for Desert Ecosystems.

Ghent University is one of the major universities in the Dutch-speaking region of Europe. It is one of the larger Flemish universities, consisting of 11 faculties, more than 130 departments, 35,965 students and 7,900 staff members. Ghent University has high scientific research ability and competitiveness in the fields of plant molecular biology, biotechnology, microbial systems, aquatic science, medicine, oceanography, microelectronics, laser technology, and artificial intelligence technologies.

Professor Paul Van Cauwenberge and CHEN Xi confirm a cooperative agreement between XIEG and Ghent University (Image by Prof. WU Shixin)