2025 IAMRI Annual Meeting Held in Qingdao
On May 29, Ocean University of China (OUC) hosted the 2025 Annual Meeting of the International Alliance of Marine-related Institutions (2025 IAMRI Annual Meeting). Professor Zhang Junfeng, President of OUC, addressed the meeting. Professor Liu Yong, Vice President of OUC, presided over the opening ceremony.
Themed “Future Ocean Governance and Sustainable Development under the IAMRI Framework”, this year’s Annual Meeting focused on advancing the United Nations’ vision for sustainable ocean development, deepening the Alliance’s impact, and fostering dialogue on international academic exchange, global scientific collaboration, and talent development. The meeting seeks to promote practical cooperation among marine-related institutions, reinforce the development of an international network for marine research and education, and contribute meaningfully to the building of a maritime community with a shared future. Over 30 representatives from 10 institutions attended the meeting, including OUC, Pukyong National University, University of Waikato, Kasetsart University, University of Malaysia Terengganu, Nha Trang University, University of East Anglia, University of Portsmouth, Solomon Islands National University, and Hokkaido University.
Welcoming address from President Zhang Junfeng
President Zhang extended a warm welcome to the guests on behalf of the university, and introduced OUC’s remarkable achievements in advancing ocean development and promoting global marine cooperation. In 2004, on the occasion of OUC’s 80th anniversary, IAMRI was established through a joint initiative led by OUC and its partner institutions with an aim to establish an international cooperation platform for marine research and education and contribute to ocean sustainable development. Since its establishment, the Alliance has carried out a series of productive initiatives, and deepened cooperation among its members. The reply letter from President Xi Jinping on OUC’s centenary has chartered the way forward for the university. Following the guidance of the letter, OUC has been advancing international collaboration on marine research and education, and fostering a new paradigm for open cooperation. President Zhang highlighted that, to further leverage the platform developed by the Alliance, we need to continuously improve the collaboration framework of IAMRI, further diversify collaborative initiatives, and expand international cooperation among governments, enterprises, higher education institutions, and research institutes. By harnessing the bonding role of IAMRI, OUC seeks to advance the collaborative and innovative development of marine research and education, making further contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Address from Prof. Sang Hoon BAE, President of Pukyong National University
Address from Prof. Gary Wilson of the University, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Waikato
Address from Prof. Mohd Fadzil Mohd Akhir, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Address from Prof.Pham Quoc Hung, Vice-Rector of Nha Trang University
President Sang Hoon BAE of Pukyong National University, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Gary Wilson of the University of Waikato, Pro Vice-Chancellor Mohd Fadzil Mohd Akhir of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, and Vice-Rector Pham Quoc Hung of Nha Trang University each delivered a speech. They expressed their high expectations for IAMRI, and made a commitment to working together to strengthen ties among members and further IAMRI’s development.
Dr. Li Weidong, Director of OUC’s International Office, moderated the introduction session for the participating institutions. Professor Lin Xiaopei, General Secretary of IAMRI, introduced the development history, operational mechanism, past meetings and future initiatives of the Alliance.
Prof. Chen Zhaohui, Executive Dean of OUC’s Graduate School and Deputy Director of the Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, Prof. Mohd Fadzil Mohd Akhir, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, and Prof. Jae Chul SEO, Provost of International Affairs of Pukyong National University delivered three keynote reports on marine research, marine talent cultivation and global ocean cooperation.
During the thematic discussion, representatives engaged in in-depth exchanges regarding the next steps of the Alliance. Major topics included future work plans, prospects for international scientific cooperation, short- and long-term student scholarship programs, and the 2025 IAMRI Summer School.
The 2025 IAMRI Annual Meeting successfully concluded with the joining of 12 new member institutions. Among them, seven universities—The University of Waikato, Solomon Islands National University, Kasetsart University, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Nha Trang University, the University of East Anglia, and the University of Portsmouth—participated in the meeting and formally joined IAMRI. Additionally, five institutions, including the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Sciences Institute, Burapha University, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Nelson Mandela University and Lomonosov Moscow State University, confirmed their joining before the meeting. IAMRI now comprises 22 institutions from 18 countries across five continents.
