A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) and Bangor University on May 8. As representatives of the two sides, Prof. Chen Jin, director of XTBG, and Prof. John Hughes, vice chancellor of Bangor University signed the MoU at Treborth Botanic Garden.

According to the MoU, the two parties (XTBG and Bangor University) are to cooperate in exchange of faculty (professors and researchers) and students, research of environmental education, study of horticulture and botanical garden management.

XTBG and Bangor University have ever cooperated in environmental education studies. Dr. Sophie Williams of Bangor University was invited as training specialist for the Training Course 2013 on Environmental Education Research in Botanical Gardens of the Chinese Union of Botanic Gardens (CUBG). Dr. Sophie Williams has kept cooperation with XTBG in studies on environmental education.

At the signing ceremony, Dr. Sophie Williams briefed the progress in cooperation. Dr. Chen Jin made a short speech, focusing on the significance of collaboration and complementary advantages of the two sides. Prof. Stephen Blackmore, former Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh since 1999, wished a complete success of the partnership.

During his visit in Bangor University, Dr. Chen Jin delivered a lecture entitled “Contributions to regional biodiversity conservation: a case study of a conservation botanical garden” at the College of Natural Sciences.

Chen Jin (L) and John Hughes (R) shake hands after signing MoU