On July 27, Dalian Maritime University (DMU) signed the Memorandum of Agreement relating to the establishment of a Chinese Professional Chair with the World Maritime University (WMU) at Beijing. Wang Gang, Vice Minister of Transport, met with Prof. Maximo Q. Mejia, President of WMU, and witnessed the signing.

Wang Gang said that the Ministry of Transport has always been attaching great importance to the development of WMU. He pointed out that the establishment of a Chinese Professional Chair at WMU is not only a new path of cooperation for both sides, but also an essential way to promote academic curriculum construction of WMU and the development of global maritime professionals. He also expressed congratulations to the signing and hoped that the two universities could implement this programme as soon as possible.

Mejia expressed gratitude for the Ministry of Transport for its constant support to WMU. According to Mejia, the establishment of a Chinese Professional Chair will strengthen the capacity of WMU to deliver on its mandate through maritime and ocean education and research, and promote the development of maritime and ocean professionals. He hoped the two universities could take this programme as an opportunity and carry out more practical cooperation.

After the meeting, Shan Hongjun, President of DMU and Mejia, President of WMU, signed the Memorandum of Agreement relating to the establishment of a Chinese Professional Chair under the witness of Vice Minister Wang Gang. According to the MoA, DMU will establish “Chinese Professional Chair in Shipping Technology and Maritime Management” in WMU and select qualified teachers to teach at WMU and carry out international maritime education and research.

This is of great significance for DMU to strengthen cooperation with WMU, develop senior maritime talents, and promote its participation in international maritime education.