Intl marine education discussed in Zhoushan

Presidents of 23 ocean universities from home and abroad attend the 2018 International Ocean University Rector's Summit in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, on Nov 3. [Photo/ zj.zjol.com]

Presidents of 23 ocean universities from home and abroad engaged in a discussion about international marine education and cooperation at a forum in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, on Nov 3. 

The 2018 International Ocean University Rector's Summit was organized by the Zhoushan-based Zhejiang Ocean University (ZOU). 

Yan Xiaojun, president of ZOU, noted that with the arrival of the century of ocean, the development of all countries are increasingly becoming dependent on the sea, which highlights the importance of marine education and makes it an essential part of basic education to cultivate new marine talents.

Yan hoped the forum will help push forward the academic exchanges and cooperation between global ocean universities, and promote the development of international marine higher education. 

"The ocean is of vital importance to the survival and development of mankind. It holds the future of human beings. However, human activities and global climate change are threatening the sustainable development of the ocean," said Li Huajun, vice president of the Ocean University of China (OUC).

Li believes that talent cultivation is an important way to address the challenge of marine environment breakage, adding that research-based education, cross-disciplinary studies, coordination among industries, universities, institutions and governments, as well as cooperation between global ocean universities, hold the key to cultivating marine talents. 

Presidents of other universities also shared their experiences in global marine higher education and talent cultivation, analyzed the opportunities and challenges faced by marine education, and put forward new ideas for the reform and innovation of marine education.

Meanwhile, ZOU signed joint educational agreements and memorandum of understanding with five universities, including the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology and the Svay Rieng University of Cambodia.

Li Huajun, vice president of the Ocean University of China (OUC), delivers a speech at the forum. [Photo/ zj.zjol.com]

Zhejiang Ocean University signs a joint educational agreement with the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Japan, at the forum. [Photo/ zj.zjol.com]