On the 9th, the unveiling ceremony of the Modern Agricultural Research Institute of Shijiazhuang University and the Smart Agriculture Symposium were held in our university’s First Lecture Hall. Vice President Feng Baoqiang attended the event and delivered a speech. Also in attendance were Yang Yingru, Director of the Smart Agriculture Research Center at the Shijiazhuang Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences; Zhang Bin, General Manager of Hebei Heli Da Grain Selection Machinery Technology Co., Ltd.; as well as representatives from the university’s Office, Research Office, Department of Agriculture and Food Science, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, College of Future Information Technology, and College of Geographical Sciences and Environmental Studies—along with key faculty members.

In his speech, Feng Baoqiang stated that the establishment of the research institute represents a key initiative for the university to support the nation’s agricultural modernization strategy and deepen the integration of industry and education. The university will leverage its strengths across disciplines such as agriculture and food science, mechanical and electrical engineering, and information technology, focusing on key areas including smart agriculture, digital soil moisture monitoring, and intelligent agricultural machinery, to carry out technological breakthroughs and facilitate the commercialization of research findings. Through collaborative partnerships with institutions like the Shijiazhuang Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences and Hebei Heli Da Grain Selection Machinery Technology Co., Ltd., the institute will build a comprehensive innovation ecosystem spanning “basic research—technological breakthroughs—outcome transforming —industrial application,” creating an integrated platform that combines scientific and technological innovation, talent development, and social services, thereby providing robust technological support for the high-quality development of modern agriculture in the region.

In her speech, Yang Yingru pointed out that the deep integration of digital technologies, intelligent equipment, and traditional agriculture has become an inevitable trend in industry development. The Municipal Academy of Agricultural Sciences possesses multiple field trial bases, regional agricultural resources, and accumulated localized planting data, giving it mature experience in conducting on-site surveys of agricultural production issues and developing regionally adapted agricultural technologies. The active involvement of research institutions will inject strong scientific and technological momentum into the academy. In his speech, Zhang Bin emphasized that the company has been deeply engaged for many years in the fields of intelligent grain sorting and modern agricultural machinery manufacturing, holding mature, ready-to-use production equipment, real-world market application scenarios, and established channels for industrial transformation. As such, it can provide a practical platform for the commercialization of university research findings.

Subsequently, Feng Baoqiang and Yang Yingru jointly unveiled the plaque for the Modern Agriculture Research Institute of Shijiazhuang University.

At the special seminar on smart agriculture, Yang Yingru delivered a keynote report titled The Development and Practical Applications of Smart Agriculture,offering an in-depth analysis—from a macro perspective to specific practical applications—of the current status and future prospects of smart agriculture. Zhang Bin presented a corporate practice report titled Collaboration Between Universities and Enterprises: Empowering the Development of Modern Agricultural Technologies, showcasing vivid real-world applications of smart agricultural technologies in fields and farms. During the collaborative exchange and discussion between universities and enterprises, participants engaged in thorough exchanges on topics including the future development of the Institute of Modern Agricultural Research, industryacademiaresearch cooperation in the field of smart agriculture, the commercialization of technological achievements, and joint talent cultivation.

The establishment of the Institute of Modern Agricultural Research marks a solid step forward for our university in the field of smart agriculture. Using the institute as a platform, the university will further strengthen cooperation with research institutions and enterprises, promote innovation and application of smart agricultural technologies, and provide robust support for the high-quality development of modern agriculture in the region.

（Contributed by: Office, Research Office, Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences; Written by: Zhao Song）