USM PENANG, 2 August 2025 — Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through the School of Biological Sciences, recently welcomed a distinguished delegation from Nanjing University, China as part of the Maritime Silk Road Scientific Expedition.

Held from 28 to 31 July 2025, the four-day visit focused on strengthening academic cooperation and advancing shared goals in environmental research, education, and sustainability.

Nanjing University, founded in 1902, is one of China’s most prestigious and research-intensive institutions. A member of the Chinese Ministry of Education’s elite “Double First Class” initiative, the university is globally recognised for its excellence in environmental science, geoscience, and interdisciplinary research.

With numerous national key laboratories and international research centres, Nanjing University plays a strategic role in shaping regional and global responses to environmental and sustainability challenges.

The visiting delegation comprised 21 students — a dynamic mix of university undergraduates and top-performing high school students — along with four academic staff members.

The group was led by Professor Hongyan Guo, a respected environmental scientist from the School of Environment, Nanjing University. Professor Guo is affiliated with the State Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Green Resource Recycling Foundation and serves as Director of the Quanzhou Institute of Environmental Protection Industry.

He also co-directs the Joint International Research Centre for Critical Zone Science — a flagship collaboration between the University of Leeds and Nanjing University.

His leadership and extensive experience in environmental protection and international research engagement added significant value to the academic exchange.

The visit was officially opened by the Dean of the School of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor Dr. Amir Hamzah Ahmad Ghazali, who warmly greeted the delegation and highlighted the importance of international collaboration in addressing today’s most pressing environmental challenges.

He reaffirmed USM’s commitment to global partnerships that promote research excellence and long-term impact.

During the four-day visit, the Nanjing delegation participated in a thoughtfully-curated programme that combined field-based learning with academic engagement.

Among the places they explored include the Penang National Park and the mangrove forests of Balik Pulau, gaining first-hand insights into tropical biodiversity and community-led conservation initiatives.

Next, a boat trip to Pantai Kerachut offered an immersive experience in one of Penang’s most pristine coastal environments, while a site visit to the island’s southern shoreline provided an opportunity to observe the environmental implications of large-scale land reclamation and artificial island development.

They also visited the laboratories in the School of Biological Sciences and School of Industrial Technology.

A key highlight of the programme was an academic discussion between researchers from USM and Nanjing University.

The session facilitated the exchange of ideas on a broad range of environmental topics, including water pollution, ecosystem resilience, sustainable infrastructure, and nature-based solutions.

It also laid the groundwork for future collaboration through joint research, academic exchange, and student engagement initiatives.

The visit concluded on a high note, with both institutions expressing a shared commitment to deepen academic ties and advance sustainability goals through continued collaboration.

The School of Biological Sciences at USM looks forward to building upon this meaningful partnership, recognising that cross-border cooperation is essential to tackling the complex environmental issues of our time.

Text: Dr. Chee Su Yin, Programme Coordinator, USM School of Biological Sciences/ Editing: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin