On the day of August 19th, 2020, Professor Song Miao from Teagasc Food Research Centre (Ireland) gave a online presentation about culture, education and Agri-food research in Ireland for students of College of Biosystems Engineering and Food  Science. This lecture was a part of online international program of our college, aiming to broaden students’ horizons and developing international thinking.

In the first part, Prof. Miao showed us the splendid Irish culture, including art, literature, food, Irish dancing, traditional music/instruments, pub culture, Irish symbols and the myths behind them. In the second part, Prof. Miao introduced the situation of higher education in Ireland and the application procedures in detail. As an adjunct Professor in School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork (UCC), Prof. Miao also introduced the academic department composition, landscape and culture of UCC in detail, and encouraged undergraduates to apply for its postgraduate programs of UCC. In the final part, Prof. Miao introduced the progress of Agri-food research in Ireland and highlighted that food sustainability has been a key issue at present.

At the Q & A session, Prof. Miao answered the questions from participating faculties and students in detail. In response to the question about the way of cooperation between universities and companies in Ireland, Prof. Miao said that senior students will be able to participate in the companies’ project for about six months, which will enhance students’ ability and career competence.

Brief introduction of Prof. Song Miao. Song Miao is Senior Research Officer (permanent) and Principal Investigator in Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark and he is Adjunct Professor in School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland. He received his Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology from University College Cork, Ireland. and held a postdoctoral position in Teagasc Biotechnology Centre, Ireland (2005-2006). He joined Unilever Food and Health Research Institute (The Netherland) in 2006 and served as Global Research Manager and Lead Research Scientist in Foods Structural Design until he was appointed to the permanent staff of Teagasc in 2009. Since January 2016 he has been appointed as Director (Founding) for the China-Ireland International Cooperation Centre for Food Material Science and Structural Design.