From Nov. 11 to 12, 2019, Prof. Yu Zhigang, President of Ocean University of China (OUC), led a delegation to the University of Bergen (UiB), to promote the cooperation between the two universities on the Sars-Fang Research Center for Marine Molecular Biology and China-Norway Marine University Alliance. Also in the delegation was Prof. Bao Zhenmin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Dean of the College of Marine Life Sciences.

    Prof. Dag Rune Olsen, Rector of UiB, introduced the university’s latest achievements, especially the progress in tackling global challenges and promoting sustainable development. He spoke highly of the cooperation with OUC and expressed his hope to facilitate the building of the Sars-Fang Research Center for Marine Molecular Biology and China-Norway Marine University Alliance. He also looked forward to further cooperation between the two sides to work towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (such as SDG14: Life Below Water and SDG13: Climate Change). 

      President Yu Zhigang expressed his thanks for the warm reception. He said that UiB is an important partner of OUC. The two universities share similar development strategies, enjoying great prospects of cooperation both in geosciences, ocean sciences, life sciences and fisheries, and in economics, management and law. The Sars-Fang Center and China-Norway Marine University Alliance are two innovation platforms, jointly established by the two universities and supported by the two countries’ governments. These two platforms could play important roles in facilitating the development of marine-related disciplines of both universities.

      The two sides discussed details of the two platforms and signed an MoU for establishing the China-Norway Marine University Alliance.

      The delegation also visited Evolutionary Ecology lab, Industrial and Aquatic Laboratory, Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, the UiB Museum, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center and salmon farm in Bergen.