The President Forum on Higher Education for Sustainable Ocean: Global Partnership and Networks, hosted by Ocean University of China (OUC) was held on October 24, 2014. Prof. Zhang Daliang, director general with Department of Higher Education under Ministry of Education of China, Mr. Chen Yue, deputy director general with Department of International Affairs under State Oceanic Administration of China, Professor Yu Zhigang, President of OUC, Wu Dexing, former President of OUC and Li Huajun, Vice President of OUC also attended this forum.

This forum brought together a wide range of outstanding scientists and professionals from home and abroad to exchange ideas on ocean development. They were from more than 40 marine-related institutions of higher learning, research institutes, and international organizations on marine sciences in 14 countries such as the U.S, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, Spain, Switzerland, Russia, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Japan, South Korea, and so on.  

Presentations were given on the forum by the heads or representatives from such institutions as University of Hamburg, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, University of Kiel, Ocean University of Sri Lanka, University of New South Wales, Tian Jing University, University of Namibia, Curtin University, University of Bremen, Campus Do Mar, University of Brittany, Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as well as OUC. The inclusion of introduction of each speaker to their affiliations informed the audience of their latest news. What's more, based on the individual conditions and local features, those presentations centered on the education of marine-related professionals and future development of ocean hence to meet demands and overcome challenges facing us as we continue exploring and utilizing the ocean. Many topics were covered ranging from marine resources management, training of competent personnel in marine-related fields to interdisciplinary studies on marine sciences and global networks. The in-depth discussions sparked forward-looking ideas and strategic insights from all participants.

Prof. Li Huajun, Vice President of OUC, delivered the keynote speech Founded and Flourishing because of the Ocean -- 90 years development of OUC to produce competent professionals in marine-related fields. It was composed of three parts, namely, the marine policies of China and the role of OUC, the past and present of OUC, and the global partnership for marine education: the International Association of Marine-related Institutions (IAMRI).

Dr. Chen Rui, Vice President of OUC, chaired one of the sessions together with foreign guests.

An IAMRI member-only meeting, chaired by Vice President Prof. Li, also took place on the sideline of this forum on how to further develop this organization. Reflecting on the achievements made over the past ten years, attendees were also aware that there was much room for future improvement. The amended constitution, drafted by OUC and revised by all members, was passed and signed unanimously, according to which it would change its current name to International Alliance of Marine-related Institutions (IAMRI). Plans & Programs of 2015, and logo of IAMRI were discussed. Prof. Yu Zhigang, president of OUC, was elected director and Vice President Prof. Li was the secretary of IAMRI. The secretariat will be based on OUC permanently. Besides, a steering committee of IAMRI is to be set up by all members. IAMRI will be open to any marine-related institutions around the globe, which has already attracted the expression of interest from many participating institutions of this president forum.

The President Forum saw a successful conclusion on October 24, 2014. As many as 32 institutions have signed the Qingdao Consensus for Future Ocean. Fruitful, either formal or informal bilateral or multilateral meetings were held between OUC and a host of participants. Cooperation Agreements or MOU have been signed between OUC and many universities such University of East Anglia, University of Namibia, and Ocean University of Sri Lanka. The bilateral or multilateral meetings with universities, research institutions and international organizations, such as Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research, will surely facilitate OUC to deepen its international cooperation in more dimensions.