Recently, the China Rural Special Technology Association (CRSTA) approved the establishment of the Kaifeng Cotton Technology Workshop, led by Henan University (HENU). This marks the University’s first national-level Technology Workshop.

HENU is dedicated to cultivating agricultural talent and fostering the development of high-caliber professionals in the field. Professor Changsong Zou, the lead expert of the Cotton Technology Workshop and head of the university’s Cotton Seed Development and Improvement team, has been leading his team in tackling challenges related to the safe utilization of cottonseed and the improvement of key agronomic traits. Their research has yielded a groundbreaking “zero-gossypol” cotton variety, making cottonseed protein and oil safe for human consumption and paving the way for high-value applications.

The School of Life Sciences is collaborating with several leading agricultural enterprises to explore new avenues for industrial upgrading. This initiative involves establishing a multi-party cooperative platform encompassing “universities - mentors - graduate students - agricultural enterprises - farmers”. This framework fosters a unique graduate student training model within the Technology Workshop, driving agricultural technological innovation and cultivating highly sought-after talent.

On May 7th and 8th, key members of the Cotton Seed Development and Improvement team participated in the “2024 National Technology Workshop Conference”. They presented the achievements of the Kaifeng Cotton Technology Workshop, garnering significant attention.

The School of Life Sciences will leverage this national recognition to solidify integrated development among government, industry, academia, and research institutions. This will enhance the translation of agricultural scientific research into practical applications and bolster the School’s capacity for social service. Furthermore, the School will reform its graduate student training model to enhance students’ innovation and practical skills, thereby accelerating the cultivation of exceptional researchers.

Technology workshops are a collaborative effort among science and technology associations at the provincial, city, and district levels, universities, agricultural technology associations, and agricultural enterprises. They focus on researching and addressing practical problems in agricultural production, serving to increase agricultural output and farmers’ income. These workshops contribute to rural revitalization, promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, and facilitate the popularization of technical services.