Dr. Sun Yegang, Chairman of OUC’s University Council, greeted the guests and introduced the university to the delegation in terms of its history, disciplinary development, faculty and students, as well as its research vessels.

“OUC, as the only marine-related university eligible to the preferential policies of Project 211 (for China’s top 100 universities) and Project 985 (for China’s top 39 universities), shoulders the noble responsibility of providing support in science and technology and educating talented professionals in China’s drive to build itself into a strong maritime nation. During this process, OUC has been actively pursuing international relations, ” said Chairman Sun.

“Built on past successes, we hope to conduct more in-depth exchanges and cooperation with relative universities and research institutes in Thailand, aiming for even more fruitful results in various fields, including scientific research and professional education,” he added.

“We already have effective examples of mutual exchanges of students and faculties and research cooperation with Burapha University and Kasetsart University in Thailand. The strategic planning of building a ‘Maritime Silk Road in the 21st Century’ by the Chinese government brought about great opportunities for collaboration between OUC and Southeast Asian, providing also a favorable environment for further cooperation between OUC and universities and research institutions in Thailand,” said Chairman Sun, adding that OUC and colleges and universities in Thailand enjoy a solid foundation for cooperation.

Vice Minister Don Pramudwinai spoke highly of the productive environment and advanced research in marine science here at OUC. He said that through his current visit to OUC, they have learned more about OUC’s superb research capabilities. As the Chinese government is vigorously forging ahead with the building of a “Maritime Silk Road in the 21st Century”, Thailand is also planning to further expand the “Maritime Access”.
“In this sense, our two countries share immense potential for cooperation, and I hope that institutions of higher learning in Thailand can develop close ties with OUC to collaborate in such fields as seafloor research, marine resource development, and blue economics,” he continued.

At the discussions and exchanges session, Prof. Xue Changhu, Dean of the College of Food Science and Engineering at OUC, Prof. Guo Huarong from the College of Marine Life Sciences, and Dr. Ning Aihua, Dean of the College of International Education respectively gave an overview of their colleges.

The Meeting was also attended by representatives from the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology and Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology, as well as representatives and professors from OUC’s International Office, the Office of Science and Technology, College of Food Science and Engineering, College of Marine Life Sciences, and College of International Education.