University students cruise into higher education

Students attend a class aboard Dongfanghong 3 in the sea near Qingdao, Shandong province. (LI HUACHANG/FOR CHINA DAILY)

Imagine having classes while cruising the open sea. For a select group of students from across China, this unique experience is becoming a reality.

They are embarking on a one-of-a-kind educational voyage, not on a traditional campus, but aboard Dongfanghong 3, an advanced scientific research vessel.

The elective course of Ocean Scientific Expedition and Practical Experience, launched by the Ocean University of China in 2020, is open to teachers and students from universities and research institutes across China. It offers the students a chance to learn about ocean science in an immersive and hands-on way.

Jia Ru, a first-year graduate student from Nankai University, was among the group of students who recently took part in these classes, held from Dec 17 to 20.

More than 130 teachers and students from the OUC, 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.

Chen Zhaohui, executive deputy dean of the Graduate School at the OUC, said the curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity about the ocean.

"We want young students to understand the oceans correctly and foster a deeper connection to the sea, while also sparking their interest in scientific exploration," said Chen, who is also vice-director of the Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography of the Ministry of Education.

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.

As one of China's top universities specializing in marine science, the OUC has long been a leader in oceanography and fisheries. Based in Qingdao, the university celebrated its 100th anniversary in October.