AKSU In Partnership With Institute Of Oceanology At Chinese Academy Of Sciences

Nelson Utip

Akwa Ibom State University, AKSU,  has landed a remarkable partnership with the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences,, Qingdao, China.

The two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday which indicates that the partnership covers scholarships, joint laboratory setup, research, bench work, joint funding applications, exchange programs, and other areas of mutual interest.

The programmes that are expected to benefit from the partnership include,  but not limited to; Marine Sciences (Marine Chemistry, Marine Geology, Marine Biology, Physical Oceanography, Marine Engineering, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, and Materials Science and Engineering).

AKSU delegation was received by the Director, Professor Fan Wang (IOCAS), Prof. Zhang Ruiyong (Researcher, IOCAS), Prof. Sand Wolfsburg (Researcher, IOCAS), and Other IOCAS Directors, Staff and Students of the Academy.

In his reaction to the development, the Vice Chancellor of AKSU, Professor Otoabasi Akpan, said the partnership is one of several international collaborations that will propel the university to enviable heights in research and global visibility.

Inibehe Nabuk, The Director of Advancement, International Collaborations and Linkages, AKSU,  said a core deliverable of the partnership hinges on an exchange programme, where students will have the opportunity to visit both institutions for research opportunities.

The Vice-Chancellor andhis  team also attended an invited academic lecture by Professor Chunli Bai, former President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS, before touring the Navy Park, Huangdao, Qingdao.

The team also paid a visit to  a key State Laboratory of Advanced Marine Materials and the Laboratory of Marine Environmental Corrosion and Biofuel in the Institute.