Australia-China Research Centre for Crop Improvement

The Australia-China Research Centre for Crop Improvement (ACRCCI), headquartered at the University of Newcastle, aims to promote strategic collaborative research in crop science among leading Australian and Chinese Institutes. By bringing together research teams of international excellence in plant biology and breeding the Centre focuses on discovering key genes and biological processes controlling plant development and stress tolerance for innovative applications to improve food security and agricultural sustainability.

A Great Success of Federal Government Funded Group Mission
May 2013

ACRCCI has successfully undertaken the DIISRTE- funded Group Mission project entitled "Collaboration to strengthen the research capabilities of the Australia-China Research Centre for Crop Improvement (ACRCCI) in early 2013.

Key highlights of the Group Mission include:

1. Held the 1st Australia-China Symposium on Crop Science (ACSCS) in Hangzhou, chaired by Yong-Ling Ruan (University of Newcastle), Xiao-Ya Chen (Chinese Academy of Science, CAS) and Jian-Ping Chen (Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science). The meeting attracted ~150 delegates from major institutes from both nations with 20 invited speakers, covering major topics in crop science from food security to agricultural sustainability.
2. Had a round table discussion in Shanghai with colleagues from Institute of Plant Physiology & Ecology (SIPPE); Shanghai Institute of Biological Sciences (SIBS) of CAS for collaboration in plant biology research.
3. Held a mini-symposium with National Key Lab of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Improvement (Key Lab) in Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU) and discussed ways for fostering strategic collaboration between ACRCCI and the Key Lab.

The group mission has increased research profile of UoN, U Adelaide and CSIRO and attracted considerable interests from some top institutes for collaboration in research and research training with MOU being prepared and signed between UoN and SIBS, CAS and the Key Lab in NAU.

With a solid track record in winning competitive funding, publications in top journals and establishment of extensive network, ACRCCI is now well positioned to quantum-leap towards achieving its inspirational goals in research and application.