Recently, the Secretariat of the International Antarctic Institute (IAI), assumed by Ocean University of China (OUC), was officially launched. This marks the first time that a Chinese university has taken on the operational responsibilities of a core institution within an international polar science and education network, highlighting OUC’s prominent role in international cooperation in polar education and research. Professor Wang Houjie, Vice President of OUC, led a delegation to attend the launch ceremony held during the third edition of the Monaco Polar Symposium. Representatives from IAI member institutions, including Gary Wilson, President of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), Frederik Paulsen, Chair of the University of the Arctic (UArctic), Lars Kullerud, President of UArctic, and other representatives from polar research institutions, also attended the event.
The third edition of the Monaco Polar Symposium was jointly organized by UArctic, SCAR, and the Oceanographic Institute of Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation. During the symposium, a preparatory meeting on Antarctic academic cooperation was convened, bringing together more than 30 representatives from over 20 countries for in-depth discussions on revitalizing the IAI, cultivating young scholars for the upcoming Fifth International Polar Year (IPY-5, 2032-2033), and carrying forward the mission of translating the outcomes of IPY-5 into educational initiatives. The participants agreed to launch a SCAR action group for the revitalization of the IAI, with the aim of continuously expanding IAI membership before IPY-5 and transforming the IAI from a loose education alliance into a global Antarctic academic cooperation network with physical support, clear development goals, and sustained activities and outputs. In doing so, the IAI will be better positioned to undertake international cooperation in Antarctic education and interdisciplinary research, and to fully support the talent development and research collaboration goals of IPY-5. On February 25, Shi Jiuxin, Director of the IAI Secretariat, Gary Wilson, President of SCAR, and Lars Kullerud, President of UArctic, spoke at the pre-event of the symposium. Their proposal to build a multi-level Antarctic academic cooperation network won unanimous support from the participants, laying a solid foundation for the revitalization and sustained development of the IAI. Chen Yitong, Deputy Director of the Secretariat, delivered a presentation during the panel discussion on “Vision and Outlook”, presenting on “China’s contribution to the re-launch of the International Antarctic Institute and advancing Antarctic Academic Cooperation”.
OUC has long been engaged in frontier research in fields such as polar marine science and polar law and politics. By assuming responsibility for the operation of the IAI Secretariat, the university has significantly enhanced its visibility and leadership in international polar education and research, while creating a new platform for academic exchange and cooperation in polar studies and for the cultivation of interdisciplinary young talent in polar research. This development will also help strengthen China’s influence and voice in global polar governance as well as in international cooperation in polar education and research. Looking ahead, the university will use the IAI Secretariat as a central platform to actively promote the development of an Antarctic academic cooperation network, with a focus on initiatives such as summer schools, smart education development, interdisciplinary collaborative research, and international academic conferences. Through these efforts, it aims to make greater educational contributions to protecting the Earth’s most fragile ecosystems, addressing climate change, and improving the global polar governance system.
Founded in 2006, the International Antarctic Institute (IAI) is an international educational alliance jointly established by Antarctic education and research institutions around the world, with the aim of promoting cross-border educational cooperation and research exchange in Antarctic studies. The Secretariat is responsible for the IAI’s daily administration and operations. In November 2025, IAI member institutions voted for OUC to assume responsibility for the Secretariat. Previously, the Secretariat had been hosted in turn by the University of Tasmania in Australia and the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.
