On September 2, Vice President Liu Yong met with Vice Presidents Somtawin Jaritkuan and Savaminee Teerawut of Burapha University (BUU) via video link for discussions about promoting joint graduate education. 

Vice President Liu Yong pointed out that both China and Thailand are maritime countries with long-standing maritime traditions and prosperous ocean industries and research institutes. Marine-related universities in both countries share the responsibility of cultivating innovative ocean talent, advancing ocean science and technology, and fostering the harmonious development of the ocean and society. Ocean research, which covers a wide range of areas, is in the shared interest of humanity and requires international cooperation. Ocean University of China (OUC) attaches great importance to the cooperation with ASEAN partners and enjoys a good foundation for cooperation. OUC has built several platforms with ASEAN universities, such as the Sino-Thai Academic Center on Marine and Fishery Science, pooling academic resources of such areas as aquaculture, marine life, marine food and marine drugs. These platforms are contributing to talent cultivation in related fields for ASEAN countries. It is hoped that the two universities would engage in substantive exchanges in marine-related fields and jointly promote the two countries’ cooperation in ocean education and research. 

Assistant President Punwalai Kewara introduced that BUU is a comprehensive public university with more than 50,000 students, and many ocean-related programs such as aquaculture, marine biodiversity, biotechnology, and food science. The university has a marine science research institute. She spoke highly of OUC’s strength and influence in marine-related fields, and expressed hopes for extensive cooperation that could start with a joint graduate education program.