A joint Yale-Peking University center that aims to improve crop production by furthering understanding of plant biology will receive five years of continued and expanded support from the Monsanto Company.

The company will fund student exchanges and a series of plant biology-related programs at the Peking-Yale Joint Center for Plant Molecular Genetics and Agrobiotechnology, a multidisciplinary research program that serves as a model of global scientific partnerships. The past and future support totals more than US$1 million.

Established at Peking University in 2001, the center is a place where independent research groups work within a common facility, sharing resources and expertise. Monsanto's support for the center began in 2002. It includes the Monsanto Fellowship Award and the Monsanto Exchange Program, as well as sponsorship of an annual scientific meeting and attendance at technology workshops.

The Monsanto Fellowship Award program provides financial support for selected Ph.D. students associated with the center to attend Yale University every year for training. The Monsanto Exchange Program sends faculty, post-doctoral students, and undergraduates from Peking University to visit Yale University and those from Yale to visit Peking University.

"Monsanto is a valued partner of Peking University," said Xu Zhihong, president of Peking University. "The five-year sponsorship for the center and its financial support has greatly contributed to biotechnology development in China and academic exchanges between Peking University and Yale University. We look forward to continuing cooperation with Monsanto."