On the afternoon of November 28, 2025, the 2nd “Tropical Horizons: Scholar Dialogue Series” took place in a hybrid mode at HNU International Scholar and Student Center. The event was hosted by the Secretariat of the League of Tropical Universities (LTU) and organized by HNU School of Food Science and Engineering (SFSE). It was presided over by SFSE Vice Dean Chen Jian, and HNU Vice President Yue Wen delivered the opening remarks.

On behalf of HNU and the LTU Secretariat, Yue Wen extended a warm welcome to the participating experts and scholars. He noted that the tropics are not merely a climatic zone but also a launchpad for innovation. Only through open collaboration and systematic innovation can the “natural constraints” of tropical regions be transformed into “development strengths”. The salon showcased the depth of basic research and the breadth of application transformation, fully demonstrating the vitality of technological innovation from a “tropical perspective”. He called on LTU members to deepen collaboration in building the platform for tropical food sci-tech innovation, establishing standards and traceability systems for distinctive tropical foods, and enhancing IUR (industry-university-research) synergy to facilitate technology transfer.

The expert presentations were delivered by six scholars: Prof. Ling Tau Chuan from the University of Malaya, Malaysia; Prof. Olufunke Oluseyi Ezekiel, Senior Lecturer Folasade O. Adeboyejo, and Lecturer Modupeola Adelaju Oguntoye from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria; as well as Associate Research Fellow Zhang Liming and Associate Prof. Fang Yajing from HNU. They shared their latest findings respectively on hydrogel-biochar composites, combined fermentation and extrusion technology, fish scale-derived biodegradable packaging films, synergistic delivery of fruit peel bioactives and probiotics, novel preservation techniques for aquatic products, and the development of tropical probiotic resources. Their presentations on those cutting-edge topics sparked lively discussions among the attendees, laying solid groundwork for substantive cooperation among LTU members in the field of food science and engineering.

On-site discussions

Representatives from the LTU Secretariat and graduate students of the SFSE attended the salon in person.

Translated by Huang Yuwen

Proofread by Kuang Xiaowen