On 18^th Feb 2021, ICED had an online meeting (via Skype) with Prof. Harinker Makkar (former Mercator Professor at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany) on potential collaboration between the two parties.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Quan (director of ICED) and Dr. Nguyen Minh Tú (senior researcher) have participated in the meeting. On behalf of ICED, Dr. Quan has introduced the vision, targets, and main activities of the institute. Participants had a fruitful discussion on several topics for future collaboration, including the bioeconomy topic which is at the moment still limited in real case applications.

During the meeting, Prof. Makkar has suggested three important themes for consideration. Firstly, it is important to generate sound data on the availability of various agro-processing by-products and other agro-based products that are wasted or not efficiently utilized and their impact on the environment, economic and social values. Secondly, research on developing innovations in the field of bioeconomy must not be restricted to technical aspects, equally important is to extend the research to evaluate social and economic analysis, followed by the development of business models, their piloting and up-scaling. Finally, strengthening the linkage among agriculture – environment – society; researcher – innovator – business and involvement of private sector should be considered in the development of any research projects. Dr. Quan appreciated Prof. Makkar’s suggestions and he is happy that these suggestions all are very in-line with the ICED’s direction and priorities. Both ICED and Prof. Makkar agreed that the two parties have the same research interests and will have a meeting later to discuss more specific topics for collaboration and development of real research projects.

Dr. Makkar is International Development Expert: Sustainable Livestock Production and Sustainable Bioeconomy. Dr. Makkar worked as Animal Production Officer with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the Animal Production and Health Division in Rome, 2010 – 2017. Before joining FAO, he was Mercator Professor at University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. He has published over 300 research papers and has over 23,000 citations (see: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Harinder-Makkar). He obtained PhD from University of Nottingham, U.K. and Dr. Habilitation from University of Hohenheim. He has also worked at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria for seven years. He has been awarded Honorary Professorships by Universities in China and Mongolia; and has been a fellow of Commonwealth Association, UK; Humboldt Foundation, Germany; and Japanese Society for the promotion of Science, Japan. He is on advisory boards of various projects funded by the EU and USAID and has taken part as an advisor and evaluator of work conducted by a number of national and international organizations. He has planned, implemented and monitored national and international projects in over 45 countries