On August 11–12, the 11th EOC Symposium & 30th Anniversary Conference of the National Engineering Research Center for Pesticides were held at Shixian Building of Nankai University, which was jointly organized by the State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry and the National Engineering Research Center for Pesticides (hereinafter referred to as the "Engineering Center"). The event convened under the theme "New-Generation Intelligent Pesticides: Development and Application," attracting over 200 experts, scholars, and postgraduate representatives from academia and industry worldwide. Participants reviewed the Engineering Center's 30-year journey, shared cutting-edge advancements in pesticide discipline, and explored future development blueprint of green pesticides.
Academician Zhensheng Kang of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Academician Qilin Zhou of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhonghua Li, Executive Vice President of the China Crop Protection Industry Association, Shuichang Liu, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission at the Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Shoufei Zhu, Vice President of Nankai University , attended the opening ceremony.
In his speech, Shoufei Zhu stated that the pesticide discipline is a traditional advantageous discipline of Nankai University and an important extension of its chemistry discipline, having made significant contributions to safeguarding national food security. He advocated for intensified interdisciplinary integration and university- enterprise partnerships to yield more impactful scientific research achievements.
Shuichang Liu reviewed the history of the joint establishment of the Engineering Center by Nankai University and the Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, commending their achievements in industry-academia-research integration and collaborative innovation. And he expressed expectations for future breakthroughs aligned with national priorities.
Zhonghua Li lauded the Engineering Center’s contributions to research projects, fundamental studies, platform development, and talent cultivation, and stated that the China Crop Protection Industry Association will work together with the Engineering Center to promote the development of the industry.
As a representative of industry-academia cooperation, Hui Xu, Chairman of Shandong Sino-Agri United Biotechnology Co., Ltd., emphasized that true pioneering innovation stems from research institutions and universities, voicing eagerness to partner with young scientists for industry progress.
Chunming Cui, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, noted the laboratory and the Engineering Center are and will be fighting side by side with close collaboration.
Jing Li, Director of the National Engineering Research Center for Pesticides, reflected on its 30-year evolution, and emphasized that the Center would remain committed to pesticide research while serving agriculture, and would continue to drive innovation in product development, technological advancement, and institutional models.
The academic sessions featured 21 insightful presentations by distinguished experts, including Academician Zhensheng Kang (Northwest A&F University), Prof. Qingxiao Li (University of Hawaii), Prof. Zhonghua Li (China Crop Protection Industry Association), Researcher Youjun Zhang (CAAS Institute of Vegetables and Flowers), Prof. Qing Yang (CAAS Institute of Plant Protection/Shenzhen Agricultural Genomics Research Institute), Prof. Guangfu Yang (Central China Normal University), Prof. Xueming Tang (Shanghai Jiao Tong University/ the Ministry of Science and Technology of Yangtze River Delta Urban Wetland Ecosystem National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station), Prof. Youliang Peng (China Agricultural University), Academician Xuhong Qian (East China Normal University/East China University of Science and Technology), Prof. Jianying Gan (Zhejiang University), Prof. Guddat Luke William (University of Queensland, Australia), Prof. Zhong Li (East China University of Science and Technology), Prof. Xili Liu (China Agricultural University/Northwest A&F University), Prof. Gefei Hao (Guizhou University), Prof. zhiguang Yuchi (Tianjin University), Researchers Fengshou Dong and Qiuxia Wang (CAAS Institute of Plant Protection), Profs. Zhijin Fan, Qingmin Wang, and Yuanhu Xuan (Nankai University), and Academician Bao’an Song (Guizhou University). Their reports showcased the latest global research in intelligent agrochemicals and green pest management, fostering a vibrant academic atmosphere.
