Prof. Yu Zhigang, President of the Ocean University of China (OUC), met with Prof. David Richardson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of East Anglia (UEA), at Huanghai Hotel on October 25, 2014 to sign a cooperative agreement after discussions on the development of marine-related strategic alliance and bilateral cooperation.

President Yu started the meeting by extending a warm welcome to Prof. David Richardson’s delegation and by expressing sincere gratitude for his speech delivered as the head of a foreign university during the 90th anniversary celebration.

He spoke highly of the achievements of UEA in such disciplines as oceanography, environment, and life and hoped to further strengthen the cooperation and exchange in the fields of humanities and social sciences as well as marine-related economics.

“OUC has gained beneficial experience in the fields of marine organisms and marine environmental science as well as programs of student exchange. OUC supports the deeper communication of faculty members from both universities,” he said.

President Yu also expressed his hope to promote cooperation in such fields as polar research and interdisciplinary exchange and build the alliance into an exemplary cooperation among the Sino-UK marine-related universities.

Vice-Chancellor David Richardson said that he was very delighted to pay a visit to OUC and to attend the 90th anniversary celebration as well as the international symposium on marine science and technology.
“The agreement between UEA and OUC will help realize international, strategic cooperation,” he added.
He also hoped to expand cooperation fields and form extensive cooperative relationships based on basic courses like bioscience and chemistry.

Prof. Li Huajun, Vice President of OUC, said that OUC has a very strong research team and hoped to strengthen the cooperation in polar region research between UEA and OUC. He also exchanged views with Vice-Chancellor David Richardson on the development of the blue economy.

During the meeting, the two parties signed a formal agreement on the co-establishment of a marine strategic alliance, and they exchanged gifts. On behalf of UEA, Vice-Chancellor David Richardson presented an oil painting to OUC. Painted by a renowned painter from England, it symbolizes sailing at sea and moving forward together.

OUC has actively expanded the strategic partnership with UEA, and UEA also regards OUC as its most important partner in China. The two sides signed the agreement of cooperation in December 2012. In 2013, the 2+2/3 atmospheric environment undergraduates’ joint-degree program had been launched. At present three OUC students have been enrolled in UEA and they have flourished there.