The opening ceremony of the International Training Program on Marine New Energy and Advanced Manufacturing Technologies was held on July 9 at the West Coast Campus of Ocean University of China (OUC). Sponsored by the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and hosted by Ocean University of China, the program is organized by the School of Materials Science and Engineering, with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana, serving as the international partner. Representatives from OUC's Office of International Affairs, the School of Materials Science and Engineering, the project implementation team, and the Ghanaian delegation attended the opening ceremony.
Cui Hongzhi delivered a speech
At the ceremony, Cui Hongzhi, Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, welcomed the trainees from Ghana and introduced the preparation and overall objectives of the program. She noted that, drawing on Ocean University of China's strengths in marine disciplines, the School would integrate its expertise in marine materials, new energy materials, corrosion protection, composite materials, and advanced manufacturing to deliver a comprehensive training program. Faculty experts and industry professionals will jointly provide lectures and practical instruction, with the aim of enhancing the program's academic rigor and practical relevance while aligning the training content with Ghana's needs in energy development, industrial capacity building, and engineering talent cultivation.
Zhao Yiming, Deputy Director of the Office of International Affairs, introduced the University's international cooperation initiatives. She stated that the training program provides a new platform for strengthening academic exchange between Ocean University of China and universities and institutions in Ghana, promoting mutual understanding of shared priorities and creating opportunities for future collaboration in faculty and student exchanges, joint research, and talent development.
Zhao Yiming introduced the basic situation of the university's international cooperation
Speaking on behalf of the Ghanaian participants, Professor Yesuenyeagbe A. K. Fiagbe, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, outlined Ghana's current needs in energy supply, engineering education, industrial development, and technical workforce training. He also expressed appreciation for the thoughtful academic and logistical arrangements made by Ocean University of China for the program.
Liu Shuang, Vice Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, introduced the School's academic profile, while the program director, Jin Kai, presented the curriculum and practical training arrangements. The program represents a concrete effort by Ocean University of China to leverage its strengths in marine sciences and engineering technologies in support of international scientific and technological capacity building for developing countries. It also provides an important platform for professionals from China and Ghana to engage in face-to-face exchanges and deepen mutual understanding of marine energy, advanced manufacturing, and engineering education.
The current program has enrolled 23 participants from universities, research institutes, government agencies, and industry organizations in Ghana. Their professional backgrounds include mechanical engineering, energy technology, materials science, manufacturing engineering, and industrial management. Running from July 6 to July 24, the program covers topics including marine new energy development, marine engineering materials, advanced manufacturing, intelligent manufacturing, and related industrial applications. Through lectures, academic exchanges, laboratory demonstrations, thematic seminars, and technical field visits, participants will gain a systematic understanding of China's latest research progress, technological approaches, and industrial practices in these fields.
