The visit of CIP Deputy Director General during the 120th anniversary celebration of Southwest University reinforced a strategic alliance for food security, cutting-edge research, and the development of next-generation talents in China and beyond.
Chongqing, China – 20 April, 2026 – Dr. Hugo Campos, Deputy Director General of the International Potato Center (CIP), recently concluded a high-level official visit to Southwest University, a leading comprehensive institution in China, renowned for its excellence in agricultural research and education. The visit coincided with the university’s 120th anniversary celebration and preceded the launch of the China-Central Asia Seminar on Agricultural Crop Science, Technology Innovation and Cooperation, co-organized by Southwest University and the University of the Bío Bío in Chile.
Dr. Campos was warmly received by Professor Wang Jinjun, President of Southwest University. The two held extensive and constructive discussions on ways to deepen strategic cooperation across research, academic disciplines, and human capital development.
During the meeting, Dr. Campos expressed his deep gratitude for the university’s hospitality and praised its academic achievements and the groundbreaking scientific contributions of its key research teams. He reaffirmed CIP’s commitment to building a robust, multi-faceted partnership with Southwest University centered on the joint development of major science and technology platforms focused on tuber crops, the co-design and implementation of priority R&D programs to address global agricultural challenges, collaborative breakthroughs in critical technologies for producing climate-resilient and nutritious varieties, and the co-creation of high-level training pathways for young scientists and agricultural leaders.
These joint efforts will accelerate innovation in potato and root and tuber crop systems and deliver tangible impacts for smallholder farmers, food security, and sustainable development across China and the Asia-Pacific region.
President Wang welcomed Dr. Campos and provided an overview of the distinguished history of Southwest University, its transformative development milestones, and the exceptional impact of key innovation teams at the College of Agronomy and Biotechnology in advancing applied basic research. President Wang recognized Dr. Campos’ globally acclaimed contributions, including the 2025 International Crop Science Society Outstanding Achievement Award and the Top Agricultural Pioneer honor from the World Food Prize, underscoring his leadership in improving crop genetics, scaling up agricultural technology, and ensuring global food security. President Wang emphasized that this visit marks a new chapter in the partnership, with shared goals to further strengthen institutional collaboration, drive high-quality disciplinary growth, and unlock new avenues for joint research and impact.
In addition to the presidential meeting, Dr. Campos participated in technical discussions with key research teams from the College of Agronomy and Biotechnology. The discussions focused on advancing joint research projects, scaling impactful technologies, and designing collaborative training frameworks to nurture the next generation of agricultural innovators.
Key representatives from both institutions joined the visit, including Dr. Xie Jianmin, Director of CIP-China Center for Asia Pacific, and Professor Lyu Dianqiu, Deputy Dean of Graduate College at Southwest University, alongside senior research and administrative leaders.
This visit highlights CIP’s lasting partnership with China’s leading academic institutions, which is grounded in the shared mission to build climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems. Together with partners like Southwest University, cutting-edge science can be translated into scalable solutions that improve livelihoods, enhance nutrition, and advance global food security.