More than 130 teachers and students from the Ocean University of China, Nanjing University, Beijing Normal University and Shandong University, sailed into the waters around Qingdao, Shandong province. The participants were divided into two groups, with each group spending two days and one night aboard the vessel.
"This experience expanded my knowledge and gave me a new perspective on the vastness of the ocean," said Jia, a student of modern Chinese literature. "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," she added.
The program, which began exclusively for OUC students, has now opened up to universities nationwide, providing an exciting opportunity for students to experience the wonders of the ocean firsthand.
The Dongfanghong 3 is a 5,000-metric-ton vessel that serves as both a floating classroom and a research station. Aboard, students are taught fundamental oceanographic knowledge.
The classes feature a variety of engaging topics, from how humans explore the ocean to understanding marine ecosystems. Students also participate in hands-on scientific research, including tasks such as measuring ocean temperature and salinity, as well as observing marine organisms under a microscope.
Source: China Daily
