XIEG Holds Fifth Session of China Partners Academic Forum of Ghent University 2025

The fifth session of the China Partners Academic Forum 2025 (CPAF2025) of Ghent University (UGent) took place at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Urumqi, China, on October 18. The session, themed "Synergistic Sustainable Development of Social-Ecological Systems in Arid Regions" was co-organized by XIEG, the East Asia Platform of Ugent, the Sino-Belgian Joint Laboratory for Geo-information, the Xinjiang Society of Natural Resources, and the Xinjiang Geographic Society. It focused on key scientific issues impacting arid regions, including social-ecological system synergy, hydrological processes, land surface dynamics, regional climate modeling, land use change, the carbon-water cycle, extreme disaster risks, water resource management, land degradation, and digital ecological civilization.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Dr. QIAO Jianfang, Head of the International Cooperation Office at XIEG, with opening remarks by Prof. DUAN Weili Duan, Deputy Director of XIEG, Prof. Petra De Sutter (via recorded video), Rector of UGent, and Mr. ZHANG Chi, Chief Representative of UGent - East Asia Platform. Prof. Alishir Kurban from XIEG highlighted the collaborative achievements between XIEG and Ugent since 2005, encompassing research projects, talent development, and academic publications. Prof. Philippe De Maeyer, from UGent and the Co-Director of the Sino-Belgian Joint Laboratory for Geo-information, extended his congratulations through an online speech.

More than 80 representatives from domestic and international institutions participated, including members of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region's Science and Technology Department, UGent, the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium, and the University of Antwerp in Belgium. Among them, 16 researchers presented their latest research, fostering robust academic exchange and collaboration.

Since 2007, the partnership between XIEG and UGent has fostered close cooperation, marked by four consecutive five-year agreements and over 200 mutual visits. The establishment of the Sino-Belgian Joint Laboratory for Geo-information in 2016 has yielded significant scientific achievements. Talent development has been a focus, with 55 PhD students involved in joint training programs, 36 of whom have graduated. Supported by national and international funding agencies, many professors from UGent have engaged in long-term collaborative research at XIEG, with some receiving regional and national awards, including the Xinjiang Tianshan Award and the Chinese Government Friendship Award.

Since 2016, the two institutions have successfully implemented four batches of the International Cooperation and Training Program for Innovative Talents funded by China Scholarship Council, involving 55 PhD students. Beyond this program, other programs have also provided support for additional students and researchers. Together, these programs have strengthened academic ties and fostered impactful cross-border collaboration.

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

E-mail: longhp@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Web: http://english.egi.cas.cn