From Melbourne to Qingdao: Plant Scientist Finds His Second Home

Professor German Spangenberg, a fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and a Changjiang distinguished chair professor, has spent more than three decades working in South America, Europe, and Australia. Since early 2024, he has been based at Qingdao Agricultural University (QAU), where he directs research at the College of Grassland Science. In a recent interview with Science and Technology Daily, he candidly discussed why he chose Qingdao, his team's achievements, and how the city can attract more global talent.

A career decision rooted in friendship and vision

For Spangenberg, the decision to come to China was deeply personal. He had collaborated with Professor Zengyu Wang, dean of the College of Grassland Science, for over 30 years, dating back to their time together at ETH Zurich. "It has been the best career decision in my life," he said, describing Qingdao as a city that celebrates its roots while embracing modernity and looking to the future. "I fell in love with Qingdao from the moment I arrived. It is a beautiful coastal city with sea and mountains, wonderful scenery, and a combination of traditional Chinese architecture with some European touches."

He said what has impressed him most is the strong culture of teamwork and mutual support at QAU. He described the research environment as "excellent and stimulating," with comprehensive facilities and access to state-of-the-art technology. He also praised the university's "exceptional and visionary leadership" and its inclusive decision-making style, summing up the ethos as "excellence with relevance."

His team's achievements are substantial. They have undertaken 16 provincial and national research projects, published more than 15 papers in top-tier journals indexed in the Science Citation Index, and filed 19 invention patents. Their work covers saline-alkali land plant germplasm, plant stress-resistance mechanisms, green biocontrol, and efficient grassland establishment. In talent development, two young researchers have received notable recognitions, and five experts from Australia, Uruguay, and Argentina have been recruited.

Building bridges between China and Latin America

International cooperation has been a defining feature of Spangenberg's time in Qingdao. He has facilitated exchanges between QAU and institutions in Uruguay, Argentina, Kenya, Colombia, and Australia. Notably, during Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi's visit to China in February 2026, he witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between QAU and Uruguayan partners. The team also secured the hosting rights for the 2026 International Forage and Turf Breeding Conference, which will be held in Qingdao in October.

Spangenberg sees great potential for Qingdao as a global talent and innovation hub. He highlighted three strategic partnerships of global relevance: deepening Sino-Uruguayan collaborative research in grassland agriculture; fostering innovation-driven partnerships in veterinary biologics and digital livestock technologies; and advancing research cooperation with Argentina on sustainable grassland systems. He argued that these partnerships would enhance Qingdao's economic and social development and open access to large Latin American markets.

"International cooperation is essential to developing science and technology for global food security," he said. "The power of international science and technology collaboration lies in enabling research and innovation that no single country can achieve alone."

Life in Qingdao and attracting global talent

Life in Qingdao has been rewarding. He praised the city's transportation system, saying it is better than Melbourne's despite their similar sizes. He also expressed admiration for mobile payments and digital platforms. "Without a doubt, WeChat is much better than WhatsApp," he remarked, adding that he now encourages his colleagues worldwide to use it. He also praised the warmth of the locals. "People in Qingdao are always so friendly, caring, and warm-hearted."

To attract more international talent, he offered a simple yet powerful suggestion: "The most effective way to attract more international talent is to build on the talent already attracted."

When asked if he would stay in Qingdao long-term and recommend it to others, he answered unequivocally: "Yes and yes." He had the highest praise for the Chinese, saying, "The 'Chinese miracle' is exclusively a credit to the Chinese people… The Chinese people have collectively achieved it with a very great sense of pride."

Source: Science and Technology Daily