Yuan Longping, known as the "father of hybrid rice", was warmly welcomed by teachers and students at the opening ceremony of Hunan Agricultural University's 2019 freshman class on September 16. (Photos: CCTV)

Yuan Longping, known as the "father of hybrid rice", was warmly welcomed by teachers and students at the opening ceremony of Hunan Agricultural University's 2019 freshman class on September 16.

Yuan Longping, 90, is a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, an expert in hybrid rice breeding in China, and a pioneer in the research and development of hybrid rice in China.

He spoke on "Accumulating practice to be the New Era Youth". He said that he had two dreams in life: one, that rice becomes high-yielding, and the other that the world does not suffer from famine.

As for the "secret" to success, he suggested "knowledge, hard work, inspiration, and opportunity." (Compiled by He Jieqiong)