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Students from Zhejiang University Ocean College Conduct Exchange Visit to the UK
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Time：2026-01-31
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From January 18 to 24, a group of 18 undergraduate students from the Zhejiang University Ocean College embarked on a winter overseas exchange visit to prestigious universities and research institutions in the United Kingdom, including University College London (UCL), the University of Southampton, and the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. The activity enabled students to gain first-hand insight into the world-class academic ecosystem and research paradigms in marine science, further broaden their global vision and enhance their professional literacy.
Centering on cutting-edge marine science research, international talent cultivation and cross-cultural communication, the exchange program featured diverse sessions including specialized courses and experimental practices. At UCL, the students attended an informative presentation delivered by Professor Gert van der Heijden from the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering. They also visited the university’s teaching and cultural facilities, acquiring a comprehensive understanding of UCL’s advanced experience in talent training models and scientific research organization for marine-related disciplines.
At the Waterfront Campus of the University of Southampton and the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, students participated in a series of thematic lectures, laboratory tours and scientific research practices, gaining in-depth knowledge of the latest advances in marine science research at the university. Under the guidance of experts including Professor Andy Cundy, the team inspected core scientific research platforms and experimental facilities such as the Biodiversity and Ecosystems Laboratory. Furthermore, the students took part in offshore practical training aboard the university’s research vessel Callista, experiencing the real-world application of marine science theories from the classroom to offshore fieldwork.
During the visit, the students also held symposiums with representatives from the International Office and the Chinese Students and Scholars Association of the University of Southampton. They learned comprehensively about the university’s overall layout of international exchange programs, summer schools and undergraduate marine science training systems, and developed a thorough understanding of its international talent cultivation model. Visits to local teaching and living facilities allowed the students to intuitively experience the teaching environment, campus culture and campus life at British universities, laying a solid foundation for future long-term exchanges and joint training programs between the two institutions.
The Zhejiang University Ocean College has maintained stable and in-depth cooperative relations with the University of Southampton for a long time. Since the signing of the undergraduate double-degree joint training agreement in 2022, the Ocean College has continuously promoted multi-level cooperation including student exchange visits, faculty reciprocal visits and academic exchanges, gradually establishing an efficient international collaborative talent cultivation system. Successfully supported by Zhejiang University’s overseas student exchange programs and the University of Southampton, this winter exchange program has built a high-quality platform for students to systematically learn about global frontiers in marine science and improve their cross-cultural communication capabilities. It also injects new impetus into the deepening of bilateral cooperation and the innovation of international collaborative talent cultivation models for the two universities.
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