A grand ceremony is held on Oct 25 to mark the 90th anniversary of the top Chinese university for marine studies.[Photo/Xinhua]

In October 2014, Ocean University of China, the premier ocean-featured university in China turns 90 this fall. In the recent two weeks, a series of celebration are taking place in the city, with an alumni assembly, two forums, performance show as well as the launch of a new research ship at the official anniversary convention bringing the event into a climax on October 25.

Ocean experts join Qingdao events

Apart from alumni, students and faculty, there are also more than 40 invited foreign guests from ocean related schools or institutes joining the celebration, during which they have exchanged ideas and presented topics over international cooperation in ocean related higher education and sustainable development of ocean resources.

At the official anniversary celebration convention, President Yu Zhigang recalled the history and achievements of ocean university and called for the students and alumni to strive for the country's sustainable marine development.

Apart from Yu, Zhang Rong, president of Shandong University, David Richardson, president of University of East Anglia, Wang Hong, deputy director general at the State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao mayor Zhang Xinqi, as well as academicians from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, all expressed their appreciation and hope for the university.

Chen Zhili, former vice chairwoman at the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, launched the kick-off of the construction of the new deep sea scientific training ship-Dongfanghong III at the official celebration congress on 25th.

With a total investment of 689.8 million yuan, the ship is expected to set sail for trial in 2017. The ship will be China's largest scientific training ship in terms of tonnage, and its other indicators in functions, economy, vibration and noise all rank top among comprehensive functional training ships in China.

Two state level academicians graduated from OUC and teaching at OUC expressed their confidence and hopes to the university.

Meng Wei, academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, also deputy director general of Environmental and Resources Protection Committee of the National People's Congress, said he graduated from Ocean University, and all the alumni would continue to support Ocean University and help it achieve its goal in oceanographic development.

Faculty representative Wu Lixin, also academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, said he has been impressed by Ocean University's talent development environment.

"Ocean University cares for talents, and is a great place for talents to grow and develop," he said. "The university has provided a great platform for me to exploit my talent so that I could contribute my specialty to the ocean development of China."

Yu Shiwen, undergraduate representative, said the students are proud of OUC today, and the Alma mater will be proud of her students tomorrow.

At the marine science and technology summit, over 110 oceanographic experts from 14 countries and regions announced the Qingdao Consensus on Sustainable Development of Future Oceans on October 26 and agreed to jointly build an ocean of peace, cooperation, and harmony in order to bring benefits and prosperity to the next generation and for generations to come. 

(From China Daily, 2014-11-07)