Representatives from Dharma Drum University (DDU), led by Preparatory Office President Liu Anchi and including Professor Zhu Wensheng and Assistant Professor Shang Nengchou of the School of Environmental Studies, visited Sichuan Agricultural University (SAU) on May 13 to initiate an academic exchange program. The two parties also discussed issues regarding future overseas internships for DDU students.

To provide DDU teachers and students with research and internship opportunities in the fields of ecology and agriculture, SAU will set aside a designated area at a development base for modem agricultural on the outskirts of its Chengdu campus for the DDU Preparatory Office's first Ecology and Agriculture Demonstration Park.

SAU President Zheng Youliang also introduced his university and its long history. Founded in 1906 as the Sichuan Tong Sheng Agricultural School, the province's first institute of higher education dedicated to agriculture, the school was renamed Sichuan Agricultural University in 1985, and in 1996 was selected as a National Key University in the "211 Project.” SAU has three campuses, the main campus in Ya’an City, a Chengdu Campus in the city's Wenjiang District, and a Dujiangyan Campus in Dujiangyan City (Chengdu). The Chengdu Campus began to enroll students this year, and is actively engaged in exchange and cooperative programs with academic institutions at home and abroad.

 DDU's President Liu explained the university's current plans, and its special character as an educational institution dedicated to the spirit of practice and concern for humanity. He then outlined the main points in the development of the University's four divisions: the School of Life & Living, School of Arts & Culture, School of Environmental Studies, and School of Philanthropy. President Liu then went on to echo President Zheng's hope that DDU and SAU can work together to promote cross-strait academic development and practical exchanges in the future.

The visit culminated in the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) for Academic Exchange and Cooperation by DDU President Liu and President Zheng of SAU.