The South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO) was founded in 1959. It is one of the largest marine research institutes in China, under the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS). The key disciplines at SCSIO are tropical marine environmental dynamics and ecosystems; marginal sea geological evolution and energy resources; sustainable utilization of tropical marine biological resources; and monitoring of the marine environment. SCSIO is to State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, Key Laboratory of Sustainable Utilization of Marine Bio-resources, Key Laboratory of Marginal Sea Geology, and Key Laboratory of Sustainable Tropical Marine Biology Resources.
The SCSIO is our long life partner institute in China and five eminent scientists from the State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography of SCSIO including Prof. Weiqiang Wang (Executive Director of China-Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and research (CSL-CER)) were participated to the meeting with the Ocean University of Sri Lanka on 28th February to discuss possible research collaboration in the Indian Ocean. The team of experts from SCSIO were included Prof. Jinglong Yao (Deputy Director CSL-CER), Dr. Gang Pan (coordinator), Dr. Yao Luo and Mr. Zhenqiu Zhang from China.
The meeting between SCSIO and OCUSL was chaired by Prof. Wasantha Rathnayake, vice chancellor, Ocean University of Sri Lanka.
The meeting was focused on following scientific thematic areas;
Coastal oceanographic research and monitoring for understanding the variability of ocean status around Sri Lanka.
Atmospheric measurements for forecasting and predicting of monsoon and it’s breakdown and rainfall patterns.
Development of Oceanographic database for research proposed research data.
Apart from that following collaboration were suggested for the benefit of both institutes
Academic/ student exchange programs , Postgraduate study programs for OCUSL students
Scientific trainings on Ocean sciences
Establishment of Oceanographic and meteorological observations and forecasting center
Capacity Building in Ocean Science Research and Technology for the Ocean University of Sri Lanka.
Organizing and conducting joint conferences, workshops Joint research publications.
The Chinese delegation verbally agreed for the collaborations and OCUSL agreed to support to streamline the collaboration through Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which has already submitted for approvals. Both parties agreed to commence the collaboration after signing of MoU.
