Royal Holloway, University of London, and The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at utilising each organisation’s expertise in science and agriculture.
The MoU will enhance the knowledge of both parties via Royal Holloway’s world-renowned research in biological science and with the RAU as the UK’s leading global agricultural university for sustainable farming and land management.
This complementary expertise will be deployed to develop fresh ideas that address the practical challenges in agriculture and horticulture which will enhance the impact of food security research at both Royal Holloway and RAU.
The MOU between the two institutions was initially instigated by Chongboi Haokip, a Horticultural Specialist at Royal Holloway, who previously completed her MSc in International Rural Development at the RAU.
Chongboi Haokip, from the School of Life and Sciences at Royal Holloway, said: “Our new partnership is very exciting for the University. Royal Holloway’s research in biodiversity decline and climate change across biological levels, from genes to landscapes, will work expertly alongside RAU’s extensive agriculture-led studies.
“Both approaches are much needed to create a real impact in the design of sustainable and resilient landscapes and over the years to come, we will connect other disciplinaries, such as humanities, which will be linked to Cultural Heritage studies at RAU.
“Together, we will be stronger in the fight against climate change and all the numerous problems it brings to people from across the globe.”
RAU’s facilities include a successful AgriTech incubator and innovation space, as well as experimental farmland, while Royal Holloway provides expertise in molecular analysis at the genetic and biochemical level.
All this will complement RAU’s current analysis of annual harvest, soil biology and soil health, while offering Royal Holloway an opportunity to apply its work within a real agricultural setting. Vice-Chancellor and Principal at Royal Holloway, Professor Julie Sanders, said: “It is always very exciting to have new partnerships and collaborations with other universities, where we can share our knowledge and facilities to find impactful solutions to global challenges.
“RAU has incredible facilities and expertise that Royal Holloway will be able to benefit from and, with our renowned research in the field of life sciences, a remarkable partnership has been created.”
Professor Peter McCaffery, Vice-Chancellor at the RAU, said: “Food security, soil health, biodiversity loss, and landscape restoration are global challenges, and we are delighted to be collaborating with Royal Holloway, University of London in a new MOU aimed at addressing them.
“Our strengths and expertise are complementary – Royal Holloway in fundamental science and RAU in agricultural applications – and together we will develop sustainable solutions that make a real practical difference on the ground that will also be of mutual benefit to us both.”
