From 25 to 30 July 2026, a series of research visits was conducted at three leading universities in Beijing, China. The delegation was led by the Director of the Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS), Professor Dr. Anjas Asmara Samsudin. The visit was also participated in by Professor Dr. Hasliza Abu Hassim, Deputy Director; Associate Professor Dr. Nor Khaizura Mahmud@Ab Rashid, Head of the Laboratory of Food Safety and Food Integrity (FoSFI); Associate Professor Dr. Siti Izera Ismail, Head of the Laboratory of Climate-Smart Food Crop Production; Dr. Nur Sumirah Mohd Dom, Research Officer at FoSFI; and an ITAFoS postgraduate student, Ms. Lim Kah Min. The research delegation also met with a group of ITAFoS postgraduate students who were participating in the 2026 CAU–UPM International Summer School at the China Agricultural University (CAU) campus from 15 to 30 July 2026.

On 27 July 2026, the delegation visited the College of Animal Science and Technology (CAST), Beijing Vocational College of Agriculture (BVCA). The delegation was welcomed by the Dean and members of the CAST management team. Representatives from the Beijing Society of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine were also present. Following presentations on the backgrounds of the respective institutions, discussions were held on potential research and academic collaborations between BVCA and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The delegation was then taken on a tour of the BVCA Orchid Greenhouse, Shed and Herb Garden, and Animal Science Farm. In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Beijing Doctoral Courtyard, also known as Persimmons Village, in Dayugou Village, Zhangfang Town, Fangshan. The village is located approximately two hours from Beijing.

On 28 July 2026, a series of lectures and research-sharing sessions by members of the delegation was held at the College of Animal Science and Technology (CAST), China Agricultural University (CAU). The session was attended by Professor Dr. Shimeng Huang and postgraduate students from CAST. The presentation titles were as follows:

• Professor Dr. Anjas Asmara Samsudin: “Feeding the Future: Harnessing Ruminant Diets to Tackle Climate Change Challenges”
• Professor Dr. Hasliza Abu Hassim: “Towards a Green Future: Harnessing Black Soldier Fly Larvae as Animal Feed for Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock Production”
• Associate Professor Dr. Nor Khaizura Mahmud@Ab Rashid: “Microbiological Safety of Black Soldier Fly Larvae: Risks, Control Strategies, and Future Directions”
• Associate Professor Dr. Siti Izera Ismail: “Canavalia ensiformis Cultivation: A Sustainable Legume for Future Animal Feed Production”
• Dr. Nur Sumirah Mohd Dom: “Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Black Soldier Fly Larvae: Implications for Safe Alternative Feed”
• Dr. Amirul Nazhan Ilias: “Effects of Rumen-Protected Fat Supplementation on Rumen Fermentation, Growth Performance, Carcass Quality, and Profitability of Farmed Buffaloes”
• Dr. Wan Ahmad Izzudin Wan Ibrahim: “Sharing Stories of the Postgraduate Journey

On the following day, 29 July 2026, the delegation departed early in the morning for Baoding to visit and attend a meeting with the Dean and representatives of the College of Animal Science and Technology (CAST), Hebei Agricultural University (HEBAU). During the visit, discussions were held on potential research collaboration between the two institutions, as well as academic staff and student exchange opportunities. Professor Dr. Anjas Asmara Samsudin also delivered a lecture titled “Building Climate -Resilient Agrifood and Sustainable Farming Systems for Local and Regional Food Self-Reliance” to the management team and postgraduate students of CAST, HEBAU. The delegation was subsequently taken on a tour of the University History Museum located at the HEBAU East Campus.

That evening, the delegation and the summer school participants were invited to attend a dinner hosted by the Dean of CAST, CAU, Professor Dr. Junjun Wang; Assistant Dean of CAST, Professor Dr. Qiugang Ma; Professor Shimeng Huang; Associate Professor Dr. Hao Wu; and several CAU researchers and postgraduate students. During the dinner, informal discussions were held on research collaboration between ITAFoS and CAST, academic and postgraduate student exchange programmes, and the future organisation of summer school programmes.

In conclusion, the research visits to Beijing successfully achieved the objectives of the programme and created opportunities for closer research collaboration between CAST, CAU and CAST, HEBAU, while also exploring new collaborative links with BVCA. The research delegation would like to express its sincere appreciation to CAST, CAU for the partial sponsorship provided to UPM postgraduate students and researchers participating in the 2026 CAU–UPM International Summer School, as well as to the ITAFoS management for its continued support.

Date of Input: 05/08/2026 | Updated: 06/08/2026 | s_hasimah