During March 22nd to 28th, 2009, the famous British pedologist, Professor J. Keith Syers, the Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand, was invited to from Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences to carry out academic exchanges and visits.

During the visit, Professor Syers, gave a special presentation for the researchers and graduate students, systematically and comprehensively introducing on how to better interpret the research results using the soil environmental and ecological data analysis. Subsequently, he negotiated with relevant staff on specific matters of the second "sustainable agriculture" International Symposium, organized by ISA, CAS, which will be held in Changsha in the May 2010; discussed and identified the co-operation programs on tea and other areas of study with the Mae Fah Luang University; discussed to jointly carry out the international collaborative research projects, including China (ISA), Australia (UWA), Thailand (Naresuan and Kasetsart Universities), Laos, Vietnam and other countries, on the impacts of climate change and its countermeasures; and guided for graduate students on how to completely write dissertation.(Mar. 29, 2009)