New Haven, Connecticut
November 21, 2007
A joint Yale-Peking University
center that aims to improve crop production by furthering
understanding of plant biology will receive five years of
continued and expanded support from
the Monsanto Company, a
leading provider of agricultural technology.
The company will fund student exchanges and a series of plant
biology-related programs at the
Peking-Yale Joint Center
(PYC) for Plant Molecular Genetics and Agrobiotechnology, a
multidisciplinary research program that serves as a model of
global scientific partnerships. The past and future support
totals more than US$1 million.
Established at Peking University
in 2001, the center is a place where independent research groups
work within a common facility, sharing resources and expertise.
Research at the center is concentrated in the field of basic
biology in model plant systems and on the application of this
research to crop improvement — an area of great interest and
importance both to China and to the United States.
Monsanto's support for the center began in 2002. It includes the
Monsanto Fellowship Award and the Monsanto Exchange Program, as
well as sponsorship of an annual scientific meeting and
attendance at technology workshops.
“Over
the past five years, 11 Ph.D. students associated with the
center at Peking University location have been named as
‘Monsanto Fellows’ and participated in this exchange,” said
Xing-Wang Deng (photo), the Daniel C. Eaton Professor of Plant
Biology at Yale and the director of the Peking-Yale Center. “We
are most grateful for Monsanto's ongoing commitment to and
support for the center. This renewed support will allow the PYC
to continue its ongoing graduate student exchanging program.”
The Monsanto Fellowship Award program provides financial support
for selected Ph.D. students associated with the center to attend
Yale University every year for training. The Monsanto Exchange
Program sends faculty, post-doctoral students, and
undergraduates from Peking University to visit Yale University —
and those from Yale to visit Peking University — where they can
receive special training, participate in research, and attend
workshops related to agricultural biotechnology.
“As a global company 100 percent committed to agriculture, we at
Monsanto believe it's imperative to continue investing in
research that will advance the agricultural industry and help
farmers be as efficient and productive as possible,” said Hugh
Grant, Chairman, President and CEO of Monsanto Company.
“Supporting the Peking-Yale Joint Center's work is one way we
can help foster continued advancement and quality research.
We're excited to extend our support of this important global
investment.”
“Monsanto is a valued partner of Peking University,” said Xu
Zhihong, President of Peking University. “The five-year
sponsorship for the center and its financial support has greatly
contributed to biotechnology development in China and academic
exchanges between Peking University and Yale University. We look
forward to continuing cooperation with Monsanto.”
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of
technology-based solutions and agricultural products that
improve farm productivity and food quality. For more
information, visit:
http://www.monsanto.com. |
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