On the morning of September 24, the inauguration ceremony of the Strathclyde Maritime Institute of Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, and the opening ceremony for the inaugural freshmen were held at the COSCO Shipping Auditorium. Attendees include Professor Scott MacGregor, Vice Principal of the University of Strathclyde; Professor Campbell Booth, Associate Principal and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde; Wang Ying, Second-Level inspector of the Department of Personnel and Education of the Ministry of Transport; Wang Yi, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Dalian Municipal People’s Government; Shan Hongjun, President of Dalian Maritime University (DMU); Zeng Qingcheng, Vice President of DMU; officials from Chinese-foreign cooperative education institutions at universities in Dalian; heads of relevant functional departments and colleges of DMU; faculty representatives; and 296 freshmen of the Strathclyde Maritime Institute of Engineering, along with their parents. The event was presided over by Zhang Jinlei, Dean of the Strathclyde Maritime Institute of Engineering.

In his address, Wang Ying, on behalf of the Department of Personnel and Education of the Ministry of Transport, congratulated the official unveiling of the Strathclyde Maritime Institute of Engineering. He emphasized that the establishment of the Institute is a concrete action by DMU to serve the strategies of building China’s strength in transportation and building China into a leading country in education, and to deepen educational opening-up. It is also an inherent requirement for the University to fulfill its educational positioning and enhance its level of open education. He put forward three hopes for the construction and development of the Strathclyde Maritime Institute of Engineering. First, it is necessary to carefully study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on building a strong transportation country and a strong education country, and effectively carry out international cooperation in transportation education in the new era. Second, it is necessary to adhere to integrated innovation, and play an active and important role in serving the accelerated building of a strong transportation country. Third, it is necessary to adhere to first-class standards, and strive to create a benchmark for Sino-foreign cooperative education in the field of maritime engineering.

In his speech, Shan Hongjun, on behalf of DMU, welcomed the leaders and guests attending the event, as well as all the 2026 freshmen of the Strathclyde Maritime Institute of Engineering and representatives of their parents. He emphasized that maritime education has an inherent international attribute, and DMU has always adhered to open development, devoted itself to the training of international maritime talents, and promoted the continuous innovation of maritime education models. He said that the official unveiling of the Strathclyde Maritime Institute of Engineering marked a new and higher level of cooperation between DMU and the University of Strathclyde. He hoped that both sides could further focus on maritime engineering talent cultivation and maritime technological innovation in future cooperation, and jointly create a high-quality brand of China-UK higher education cooperation. Finally, he encouraged the first batch of new students of the institute to be firm in self-confidence, independent in responsibility, and determined in self-improvement during their study at the university, and strive to temper themselves into the new era’s great young generation who have ideals, shoulder responsibilities, endure hardships, and work with determination.

Professor Stephen McArthur, Principal of the University of Strathclyde, delivered a video address. He expressed his great pleasure at witnessing the official unveiling of the University of Strathclyde’s first joint educational institution in China, describing it as a further deepening of the partnership between the two universities that would propel their collaboration to a new stage. He expressed his hope that the Institute would continue to develop into an internationally recognized centre of excellence, earning widespread acclaim for its high-quality talent and skills development. The University of Strathclyde will do its utmost to provide students with various opportunities, helping them enhance their learning capabilities and enrich their academic experience, so that they can pursue their ideal careers and realize their personal aspirations in the future.

Scott MacGregor reviewed the history of cooperation between the two universities. He noted that DMU and the University of Strathclyde enjoy a broad foundation for collaboration and have achieved solid results in student cultivation and academic visits. He expressed the hope that both sides would take the establishment and development of the Institute as an opportunity to continue driving deeper exchanges and cooperation between the two universities, jointly providing a platform for students to learn and grow, and enabling more students to succeed.

Shan Hongjun, Zeng Qingcheng, Scott MacGregor, and Campbell Booth jointly unveiled the plaque for the Institute.

At the event, the visual identity of the Strathclyde Maritime Engineering Institute, DMU was officially released.

The Institute’s emblem incorporates design elements from the logos of both universities. Its outer ring follows the overall form of Dalian Maritime University’s emblem, while the central design integrates symbols representing the Institute’s three academic programs, reflecting its integrated academic structure and coordinated development in the field of maritime engineering.

The Institute motto translates the core values embodied in the University motto into its educational philosophy and guiding principles for conduct, reflecting the Institute’s vitality and distinctive character.

The Institute’s slogan highlights its distinctive maritime focus and engineering orientation, serving as a concrete and practical manifestation of the values embodied in its motto.

A time‑capsule sealing ceremony was held on‑site, where student representatives placed letters written by all freshmen to their future selves into the time capsule for safekeeping. It is expected that four years later, they will look back on the youthful enthusiasm of today and reap the full joy of personal growth.

A video featuring congratulatory messages from faculty members of both universities and parent representatives was played at the event.

Shi Jianyun, parent of Shi Haipei, a student majoring in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, delivered a speech on behalf of the freshmen’s parents. He stated that the Strathclyde Maritime Institute of Engineering integrates the century‑old heritage of Dalian Maritime University and the University of Strathclyde, achieving a perfect integration of Chinese and Western strengths through powerful alliance. As a parent, he said he was delighted and gratified to see how much his child had grown since enrollment and expressed full confidence in his continued growth and development over the next four years.

Zhang Shuhao, a student majoring in Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation, spoke on behalf of all freshmen. She noted that as the first‑batch students of the Institute, they felt honored while being fully aware of the responsibilities they shoulder. Relying on the international platform jointly built by the two universities, the students will cherish the learning environment to actively explore the world and grow into an independent person, so as to serve the society and contribute to the world with the knowledge they acquire.

Shan Hongjun and Scott MacGregor exchanged gifts on behalf of the two universities, symbolizing their shared commitment to mutual trust, closer ties, and continued progress together.

As the Mid‑Autumn Festival was approaching, the Institute prepared candy gift packs for guests, faculty members and students attending the event, while the University of Strathclyde presented the incoming students with study supplies.