December 5 to 9, 2016, the 2nd Study and Cultural Tour of Marine Scholarship of China was held in Zhejiang University with 45 teachers and marine scholarship students from Ocean University of China, Zhejiang University, Xiamen University and Tongji University participating. Among them, 6 international students studying at Tongji University from Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam, Nigeria and other countries participated in this tour.
At the opening ceremony, Udoh from Nigeria delivered a speech on behalf of Tongji University marine scholarship students. He said that Tongji University provides them with a great learning and research platform, so that they have the opportunity to get in touch with and master the cutting-edge knowledge and progress in ocean research. He expressed their gratitude to the State Oceanic Administration and the Ministry of Education for the financial support, and Zhejiang University for providing such a platform for exchanges and communication with international students, so that he could meet friends from all over the world who are interested in marine careers.
The leaders of the International Cooperation Department of the State Oceanic Administration(hereinafter as SOA) and the China Scholarship Council of the Ministry of Education(MOE) also participated in this event. In the 5-day tour, in addition to seminars, professional lectures, visiting the Second Institute of Oceanography and the Ocean Laboratory of Zhejiang University, it also provided a chance for the students to appreciate the history and humanities of Hangzhou and Zhoushan to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture and China’s marine industry and promote the exchange and communication between the school and students.
The Marine Scholarship of China program was jointly launched by the SOA and Ministry of Education (MOE) in 2012 for the purpose of providing financial support to outstanding students from coastal countries or regions around South China Sea, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean and African developing countries to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in oceanography or other related specialties, cultivating advanced professionals of the related fields for developing countries, enhancing international marine cooperation and exchange, and promoting the harmonious ocean development in the region and around the world. Tongji University is among the first four universities to undertake this program. Until 2016, 22 students from Tongji University have been enrolled into this Marine Scholarship of China program. Over the past five years since its implementation, this program has been highly appreciated by related countries and international organizations.
