On June 1, 2015, the opening ceremony of the China— ASEAN My Dream of the Blue Ocean Summer Camp was held at Tianjin University. There were some twenty students from Universities across China and the ASEAN nations. In addition to the students and volunteers, Professor Hu Wenping, Assistant to the President, Professor Yang Fuling, the Director of the Office of International Cooperation, Professor Wang Guangyi, the Assistant Dean of the School of Environment Science and Engineering and representatives from the School of Environment Science and Engineering, and the Office of International Cooperation attended the ceremony and summer camp.

 

Professor Hu Wenping, welcomed the students and spoke about the development and history of the key disciplines taught at Tianjin University. He mentioned that Tianjin University not only attaches great importance to the cooperation with universities in ASEAN but also tries its utmost to foster an alliance of China – ASEAN universities in advanced technology. During his speech, he quoted that “The world is ours, and yours, but it is yours in the end” to encourage the young students to learn as much as they could during the short time at the camp. He also hoped that during the summer camp the students could make friends throughout the world. On this note Hu declared the summer camp opened.

 

Professor Wang Guangyi, on behalf of the School of Environment Science and Engineering, presented a brief introduction of the School, and emphasized the advantages of international cooperation, and the importance of internationalization in teaching and research. He encouraged the students from China and ASEAN to strengthen their communication and mutual understanding as well as obtain knowledge from each other during the summer camp. The students hoped that through their camp experience they would acquire the latest knowledge on cutting-edge technologies and the latest information concerning marine studies and would make life-long friends. The teachers from the School of Environment Science and Engineering and officers from the Office of International Cooperation then conducted training for the students and answered the questions raised by students.

 

It has been reported that the summer camp has been selected under the framework of “China – ASEAN Cooperation on Oceans” and listed as an event which was held during the “China ASEAN Education Exchange Week”. The two-week camp which began from June 1 was jointly coordinated by the Office of International Cooperation and the School of Environment Science and Engineering.

 

The summer camp conducts lectures in English on Marine Environment and Technology and encourages students to discuss and exchange opinions on topical issues such as the present situation of the marine environment in China and the ASEAN region, marine environmental pollution and prevention, threat of exploitation, and utilization of seawater desalination. In addition, the camp would enable students to visit laboratories, research institutes and industries and provide them with an opportunity to have a hands-on experience, while at the same time, investigate and design projects on their own. Whilst on campus the students will be able to immerse themselves in the campus life and be involved with the vast array of activities offered at the campus.  Tianjin is close to the coast giving the students the opportunity to visit the ocean-themed venues and enjoy the unique charm of the oceans and the sea breeze.