What programs have been launched between your school and Guinea's Institute of Agriculture and Veterinary at Faranah (ISAV/F) under the "20+20 Cooperation Project among China-Africa Universities" launched in 2010?

After our educational cooperation was initiated, CAU hosted a training program on rural energy technology for experts at ISAV/F and Guinea's Ministry of Energy and Water Resources. In lectures and on field visits during the 22-day program, trainees discussed rural energy issues like bio-energy, solar energy, wind energy and small-scale hydropower. Between October and December this year, six lecturers and laboratory staff from ISAV/F are attending a two-month training project on creating a sustainable agriculture master program and laboratory construction at CAU.

How many African students are currently at CAU? What are your future plans for enrollment?

As of September 2011, we have 107 African students in total coming from 33 African countries. Currently, 187 foreign students are studying on campus, among which 68 are African. They account for 36.4 percent of the total number of foreign students. We will increase foreign student enrollment over the next five years. By 2015, we hope to establish two English-language master programs for foreign students, and plan to recruit 500 foreign students by then.

Can China's agricultural experience help solve food security and poverty issues in Africa? How?

We have similar experience in agricultural development. China is the world's largest developing country and Africa is home to largest number of developing countries.  African countries may learn something from China's experience, but they must consider their own circumstances. The African continent is rich in agricultural resources and has a huge agricultural market, while China has more advanced agricultural technology and management experience. So, China-Africa agricultural cooperation has great potential.

What are CAU's other plans for future China-Africa agricultural cooperation?

This year, CAU signed a letter of intention with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, set up a network called AfriCAU, and proposed CAU and other African scholars should work together in areas of rural environmental protection and rural energy. Currently, AfriCAU has plans to carry out joint research, and is submitting proposals to the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China for projects on rural sewage treatment technology and biogas technology.