Wollongong's extends collaboration with Ocean University of China

Nov 14, 2005

The University of Wollongong and the Ocean University of China (OUC), Qingdao, recently extended their long-standing collaboration in marine research and teaching by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The MOU was signed on behalf of the University by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Margaret Sheil, and by the President of OUC, Professor Wu Dexing.

The signing took place during a vist to Qingdao by a delegation from the University of Wollongong including Professor John Morrison, AssociateProfessor Ron West and Ms Dongyan Liu who is a staff member of OUC and a PhD student in Environmental Science at UOW.

Several staff at UOW have had links with the OUC which is the leading marine university in China and is ranked among the country's top 30 universities.

During this recent visit discussions were held on future collaboration in research activities in coastal and ocean science and technology, lawand policy. Discussions were also held on potential teaching links especially in undergraduate studies in environmental science and biology, and possible joint masters degree offerings.

Following from this visit, and with funding received under the UIC International Links Program, two senior OUC staff will visit UOW earlyin 2006 to expand on these discussions.

The visitors will be Professor Dong Shaunglin, Vice-President of OUC (with responsibility for research and graduate students) and one ofChina's leading aquaculture researchers, and Associate Professor Bai Jie, Associate Dean of the College of Marine Environmental Science andEngineering, and a leading marine microbiologist.

Professor Dong will provide research advice on the development of aquaculture projects associated with the South Coast research effort. Associate Professor Bai will discuss further the teaching links, and link with the coastal research activities (including harmful algalblooms and microbial indicators of eutrophication).