Prof. YU Zhigang, President of the Ocean University of China (OUC), held talks with Margaret Leinen, head of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), to discuss details for cooperation on October 26, 2014 at Huanghai Hotel.

Prof. ZHAO Meixun, directer of the Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology under the Ministry of Education, and Dr. YU Guangli, Executive Deputy Dean of the College of Medicine and Pharmacy, gave respective introductions to the framework for cooperation in the fields of marine science as well as marine life and medicine. Prof. WU Lixin, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with participants from the two parties, had in-depth discussions on the content, model, and mechanism of the cooperation as well as the establishment of the international joint laboratory.

After the presentations given by OUC professors, President Yu said that SIO is a world class oceanographic institution, and OUC is a leader in marine science and technology education in China. There is a huge potential for cooperation between SIO and OUC, and OUC would take the cooperation with SIO as a focus of the international collaboration in the next few years.

With regard to the cooperation, he said that the research orientation selection and top-level design is needed so as to guide the long-term cooperative activities.

“We should explore ways of establishing an international joint laboratory and drive specific and substantive cooperation in fields of common interests,” he said.

“Taking the opportunity of cooperation between OUC and SIO, we should gradually expand education and cooperation with UCSD based on scientific research,” he added.

He stressed that the relevant departments of OUC should make full use of the knowledge of the scientists and provide services and support in the cooperation between the two parties.

Margaret Leinen, head of the institution, congratulated OUC on its 90th anniversary and on the successful convocation of the Global Ocean Summit. She said that it was a great pleasure for SIO to conduct cooperation with OUC in various fields like ocean dynamics and marine biogeochemistry. She wishes the two parties to expand their general cooperation and to cooperation in areas like ocean acidification, aerosol transmission and its impact on climate change, the key technology of sampling in extreme environments, and the R&D of marine natural products and medicine.

In addition, she made brief comments about SIO’s efforts with world famous universities, institutes for the establishment of the international joint laboratory, and teaching centers and expressed her willingness to make contributions in this regard.

At the end of the bilateral talks, Dr. Yanju, Vice-president of OUC, stressed that more exchanges are to be deepened to facilitate methods and mechanisms for bilateral cooperation. Efforts are to be accelerated for the establishment of an international joint laboratory and joint scientific research programs, adding that both parties should cooperate in science and technology to have a better understanding about the Pacific Ocean. It is expected that the bilateral cooperation will yield significant results at an early date.

During the celebration, on behalf of SIO, President Margaret Leinen presented a souvenir for the 90th anniversary of OUC.