Chen Wei, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the president of Jiangnan University in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, has proposed an initiative to quickly develop exceptional engineers by fostering collaboration among universities, government entities and businesses to address the heightened global technological competition and advance industrial upgrading.

He highlighted the significance of China's top universities in industry clusters to play a pivotal role in cultivating high-caliber, innovative engineers aligned with national strategic needs and local economic development.

As a delegate to the 14th National People's Congress, Chen, renowned for his work in food microbiology, has led numerous research and development initiatives.

He stressed the imperative of transforming and upgrading China's food industry to enhance its global competitiveness, emphasizing the role of food resources in national security and sustainable economic growth.

Recognizing the inadequacy of China's current food resource diversity and functionality, particularly in non-arable resources like forests, oceans and microorganisms, Chen underscored the urgent need for efficient and sustainable production models.

He also underscored the potential of emerging technologies such as genomics, synthetic biology and artificial intelligence in revolutionizing food resource development and nutrition while emphasizing the need for improved technological applications, interdisciplinary collaboration and robust policy frameworks.

Chen affirmed Jiangnan University's commitment to becoming a world-class research institution. The university is poised to make substantial strides in fulfilling its role in China's modernization efforts.