A unique learning experience is taking shape for university students across China as they embark on an educational voyage aboard the Dongfanghong 3, an advanced scientific research vessel. This initiative, launched in 2020 by the Ocean University of China (OUC), is part of an elective course titled 'Ocean Scientific Expedition and Practical Experience', which offers students a chance to explore ocean science in an immersive, hands-on environment.
The program, originally designed for OUC students, has expanded to include participants from universities and research institutes nationwide. Recently, more than 130 teachers and students from OUC, Nanjing University, Beijing Normal University, and Shandong University set sail from Qingdao, Shandong province, to learn about the ocean. The participants were split into two groups, each spending two days and one night aboard the Dongfanghong 3.
Jia Ru, a first-year graduate student in modern Chinese literature from Nankai University, was one of the students who took part in this voyage. "This experience expanded my knowledge and gave me a new perspective on the vastness of the ocean", Jia said. "The classes aboard Dongfanghong 3 felt like a close-knit community, where students from different disciplines could share thoughts and ideas. It was a unique, interdisciplinary environment".
The Dongfanghong 3, a 5,000-metric-ton vessel, serves as both a floating classroom and a research station. Onboard, students receive lessons on oceanography, marine ecosystems, and the science behind ocean exploration. They also take part in hands-on research activities, such as measuring ocean temperature and salinity and observing marine organisms under a microscope.
Chen Zhaohui, executive deputy dean of the Graduate School at OUC, explained the aim of the program: "We want young students to understand the oceans correctly and foster a deeper connection to the sea, while also sparking their interest in scientific exploration".
As a leading institution in marine science, OUC has been at the forefront of oceanography and fisheries education in China. The university celebrated its 100th anniversary in October, further solidifying its role in advancing ocean research and education.
This program provides students with an exciting opportunity to engage with the world’s oceans and explore the scientific principles that govern them, creating a one-of-a-kind learning experience aboard the Dongfanghong 3.
