On July 23, the “Harnessing Talent for Agriculture and Forestry, Innovating for a Greener Future” National Postdoctoral Academic Exchange Event was held at Northeast Forestry University’s Chengdong Building. Attendees included Yang Haidong, Member of the CPC Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security; Gao Jinbao, Director of the Division of Professional and Technical Personnel Management; Song Wenlong, President of Northeast Forestry University; and Ma Keping, Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. More than 200 postdoctoral researchers from agricultural and forestry universities and research institutions across China, along with young scholars from China and abroad, participated. Zhang Chunlei, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Committee and Vice President of NEFU, presided over the opening ceremony.

The event was guided by the Office of the National Postdoctoral Management Committee, the Service Center for Overseas-Educated Personnel and Experts of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation; hosted by the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security; and organized by Northeast Forestry University. It aimed to implement national strategies to develop a Beautiful China and build a strong agricultural sector, cultivate new quality productive forces in agriculture and forestry, establish a high-level interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral academic exchange platform for postdoctoral researchers nationwide, bring together the innovative expertise of young scholars, and promote the deep integration of digital and intelligent technologies with the agricultural and forestry industries.

At the opening ceremony, participants watched a promotional video titled Building Dreams in Northern China, Creating a Future through Postdoctoral Innovation, which showcased the achievements and dynamic development of postdoctoral programs in Heilongjiang. The video highlighted Heilongjiang’s favorable environment for attracting and retaining talent by providing opportunities for professional development and building strong innovation platforms.

In his address, President Song Wenlong expressed sincere gratitude to the leaders and organizations that supported the event and warmly welcomed all participating experts, scholars, and young professionals. He noted that postdoctoral researchers are among the most dynamic forces in young scientific and technological talent and play an important role in advancing high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength. Northeast Forestry University is committed to providing young researchers with broad platforms for professional development and a supportive environment for innovation. He expressed the hope that participating scholars would engage in open, fruitful academic discussions, explore the beauty of science together, and, more importantly, take the opportunity to visit, learn about, and ultimately choose Northeast Forestry University as a place to pursue their academic and professional aspirations.

Yang Haidong praised Northeast Forestry University’s postdoctoral programs and its careful planning and thorough preparations for the academic exchange event. He noted that the CPC Heilongjiang Provincial Committee and the Heilongjiang Provincial Government have fully implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important statements and instructions on talent development and remain committed to advancing development by selecting and effectively using talent across all fields. Heilongjiang has introduced a series of supportive policies, including the “60 Measures for Revitalizing Talent in Heilongjiang.” It has incorporated postdoctoral support policies into the province-wide talent policy framework to attract and retain outstanding postdoctoral researchers to pursue innovation and entrepreneurship in Heilongjiang.

Following the opening ceremony, the academic forum featured a keynote presentation by Academician Ma Keping titled “Reflections on Strategic Research into Biodiversity Conservation.” Drawing on global development trends, national strategic needs, and practical implementation pathways, he systematically presented the latest advances and strategic perspectives in biodiversity conservation research.

Sui Xiaonan, a professor at Northeast Agricultural University and a recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, and Chen Zhijun, a professor at Northeast Forestry University and a recipient of a national high-level talent program, delivered presentations on their research, including “Exploring Technologies for the Industrial Application of Plant Proteins” and “Biomimetic Fabrication of Biomass Phosphorescent Materials.” Drawing on their research experiences, they offered vivid examples for young scholars on how to translate fundamental research into industrial applications and achieve innovative breakthroughs through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Chen Lijun, Director of the Department of Faculty Affairs of the CPC Committee of Northeast Forestry University and Director of the Office of Talent Affairs, provided a comprehensive overview of NEFU’s talent recruitment policies and programs and extended a sincere invitation to young scholars from across China and around the world.

In the afternoon, parallel sessions were held at the School of Forestry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Ecology, and School of Life Sciences at Northeast Forestry University. Focusing on areas including agricultural and forestry genetics and breeding, forest ecosystem security, low-carbon utilization of agricultural and forestry resources, and smart forestry equipment, the sessions featured in-depth academic discussions. More than 50 experts and scholars delivered presentations. Covering the entire research chain from molecular mechanisms to industrial applications, the presentations offered diverse perspectives and innovative approaches to addressing common and critical challenges in agriculture and forestry, further advancing interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation in the field.