The League of Tropical Universities (LTU) 2025 Summit wrapped up successfully on April 16 at Hainan University (HNU). With the theme “Extensive Consultation, Joint Contribution, and Shared Benefits: Towards a Shared Future of Higher Education for the Tropical Regions,” the event has brought together experts worldwide to explore challenges and opportunities in areas such as digital education, high-efficiency tropical agriculture, One Health, cultural exchanges, and green development. HNU faculty and students across different disciplines have engaged in active discussions and shared their reflections.
He Xi, a leading scholar at HNU’s School of Humanities and the principal investigator of a major project sponsored by the National Social Science Fund of China (NSSFC), praised the Parallel Session on Mutual Learning among Civilizations and Digital Humanities for its thematic richness and interdisciplinary scope. “Experts from the UNESCO and various tropical institutions were in attendance to explore the synergy between archaeological evidence and technological innovation. Topics ranged from the excavation of shipwrecks from the Ming Dynasty that testify to centuries-old China-Africa exchanges, to AI-assisted reconstructions of Su Dongpo’s maritime journeys; from the cultural identity of Chinese diaspora communities in Southeast Asia to the digital revival of ecological wisdom that spans oceans. These discussions highlighted the unique value of digital humanities in enabling dialogue between civilizations,” she noted. She emphasized that revitalizing the maritime heritage and nurturing historically informed and tech-savvy cultural envoys is key to sustaining intellectual momentum for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). “We must move beyond the outdated one-way cultural narratives and build a global civilizational system grounded in shared values, with digital humanities serving as a bridge for knowledge sharing and cultural continuity.”
Prof. Luo Jie from HNU’s Nanfan School (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), also a chief scientist at the Yazhouwan National Laboratory (YNL), said the “Parallel Session on High Yield Tropical Agriculture and Rural Development” provided an effective platform for academic exchanges and inspired deeper reflection on the future of tropical agriculture. “The application of biotechnology and digital tools is propelling tropical agriculture toward higher yield and smarter development, which not only boosts productivity but also offers meaningful solutions to global challenges like climate change.” he said. His team is developing a global coconut germplasm database and pioneering new genetic engineering approaches through tissue culture technology, which paves the way for transgenic research and genetic improvement of palm species in China. “With support from the national rural revitalization strategies, we aim to accelerate knowledge transfer, bringing research achievements from the labs to the farmland quickly and contributing China’s solutions to the sustainable development of tropical agriculture worldwide.”
Kao Shuh-Ji, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, highlighted the prominent role of marine science at this Summit. “Hainan’s geographic, climatic, and ecological conditions make it an ideal hub for ocean-based innovation,” Kao said. He explained that the emerging concept of “broad blue carbon” is gaining traction as a key strategy for tropical marine ecological governance. Through initiatives like the Coral Ark Project, Hainan is working to restore marine biodiversity and enhance the carbon sink function of tropical seas. He also advocated for deep-sea aquaculture as a means to improve offshore water quality, mitigate hypoxia, and boost marine productivity, which can contribute to food security across tropical regions. Looking ahead, he expressed hope for deeper collaboration with LTU members in blue carbon technology, ocean resource management, and sustainable food systems. “Together, we can build a tropical model that integrates science, ecology, and livelihoods,” he said.
You Beiyu, a doctoral student in Civil Engineering at Yefeng College, noted that the LTU Summit offered him valuable insights into the global landscape of intelligent construction. “As a researcher in smart construction and project management, I am deeply impressed by this platform as it bridges cultures, disciplines, and national boundaries,” He emphasized that with the strong momentum of the BRI, tropical countries are experiencing growing demand for infrastructure. “The cross-border research network built by the LTU has created precious opportunities for collaborative innovation and practical application in intelligent construction,” he explained. “While climate change and sustainable development pose real challenges for the built environment, they also present tremendous opportunities in the tropics.” Through in-depth exchanges with scholars from Egypt, Malaysia, and Brazil, he recognized the vast potential for the application of technologies such as construction robotics, low-carbon design, and sustainable materials in tropical settings. “Looking ahead, I hope to use the LTU platform to advance the localization of smart construction practices, and to promote collaborative research, talent nurturing, and technical exchange across member institutions,” he added. “By doing so, we can explore high-quality infrastructure development tailored to tropical cities and contribute both Chinese solutions and HNU’s wisdom to the global conversation.”
Mir Imamuzzaman Hasib, a master’s student in Political Science (International Relations) from Bangladesh and member of Zhonghe College, shared his appreciation for the Summit’s inclusive and future-focused agenda. “I was honored to attend the Summit. It was inspiring to interact with experts on international cooperation and regional development, and innovative technology and industrial transformation,” he said. “The Summit has broadened my academic horizons and given me a better understanding of how theory and practice complement each other.” He looks forward to further cooperation across institutions and hopes the LTU continues to offer open and inclusive platforms for young scholars.
Chen Juetong, a third-year student majoring in Biological Sciences at Tiangong College, said the Summit embodied the LTU’s mission of “extensive consultation, joint collaboration, and shared benefits”. “Backed by the preferential policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the League has connected universities and research institutions across tropical regions, enabling exchanges and cooperation in areas such as economy, education, sci-tech, and culture,” said Chen. She noted that the joint research platforms established by LTU members have greatly expanded access to cutting-edge data and opened new frontiers for life sciences research tailored to tropical ecosystems. “During the multidisciplinary exchanges in the Summit, I saw firsthand how life sciences can mingle with other fields to spark fresh ideas and innovative thinking. I hope the LTU will continue to cultivate a deeply interdisciplinary innovation ecosystem. It will help life sciences play an impactful role in addressing the challenges facing humanity.”
Translated by Han Yunsheng
Proofread by Kuang Xiaowen, Yang Jie
