A research visit to Beijing, China was conducted from 23 to 29 September 2025, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasliza Abu Hassim, Deputy Director of the Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS). The delegation also comprised Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nor Khaizura Mahmud@Ab Rashid, Head of the Food Safety and Food Integrity Laboratory (FoSFI), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siti Izera Ismail, Head of the Climate-Smart Food Crop Production Laboratory, Dr. Nur Sumirah Mohd Dom, Research Officer at FoSFI, as well as two ITAFoS postgraduate students, Lim Kah Min and Jia Hui. During the visit, the delegation visited the College of Animal Science and Technology (CAST), China Agricultural University (CAU). Discussions were held on potential research collaborations and student exchange opportunities, followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CAST, CAU and ITAFoS, UPM. The signing ceremony was attended by the Dean of CAST and other members of the college management. The delegation was also given a tour of CAST facilities and the Feed Museum, which showcases innovations and research products related to animal feed. In addition, visits were made to the mycotoxin degradation company Greens and Wellhope Tangshan Feed Ltd., an animal feed processing company located in Hebei, approximately three hours from Beijing.

On 26 September 2025, the delegation attended the 11th Summit Forum on Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Engineering Technology at CAU, where Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasliza Abu Hassim delivered an invited presentation titled “Malaysia’s Livestock Production and Feed Industry for Sustainability of Food Security: Past, Present and Future”. Subsequently, on 27 September 2025, the delegation visited the Animal Production Research Centre in Zhuo Zhou, Hebei, before proceeding to Hebei Agricultural University (HAU) in Baoding. At HAU, several lectures were delivered:

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nor Khaizura Mahmud@Ab Rashid: “Food and Feed Safety in Malaysia: Current Challenges and Future Directions”
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siti Izera Ismail: “UPM and ITAFoS: New Research Progress”
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasliza Abu Hassim: “Black Soldier Fly Larvae: Turning Waste into Animal Feed”

A meeting was also held with the Dean and Deputy Dean of the College of Animal Science and Technology, HAU, to discuss future research collaboration opportunities. On 28 September 2025, the delegation attended The 10th Donkey Industry Development Conference, held at the Baoding Banquet Food Museum, Baoding Zhili Cultural Hotel. During the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasliza Abu Hassim was interviewed by the local media, and a news article titled “The Path to Win-Win Cooperation in the Donkey Industry from a Global Perspective” was subsequently published.

This research visit has opened avenues for stronger research collaboration between CAST, CAU and ITAFoS, UPM, as well as future international cooperation with Greens company and Hebei Agricultural University. The delegation would like to extend its sincere appreciation to Prof. Quigang Ma, Associate Dean of CAST, CAU, for the full sponsorship of this visit, and to the ITAFoS management for their continuous support.

Date of Input: 30/09/2025 | Updated: 02/10/2025 | s_hasimah