This year marks the 100th anniversary of XMU. Themed “To Carry Forward Tan Kah Kee’s Spirit and Distinguish XMU as a World-class University”, several categories of events (“the theme events”) were scheduled to take place on the vessel during the university’s centenary.
Photo: MOHO
I. Launching Ceremony of the Centenary Celebration
On March 5, Honorary Advisors of R/V TKK were appointed onboard at the launching ceremony of centenary celebration. Huasheng Hong, professor of XMU, and Cheng Chen, a member of the 8th All-China Philatelic Federation Council and head of the Jimei Alumni Association, joined the R/V TKK’s panel of Honorary Advisors, which would bring diverse perspectives and valuable advice in supporting ship operations and cultural heritage. After the ceremony, Chen conducted an exclusive lecture on postage stamps.
A lecture on postage stamps was given by Chen. Photo: Jiajun Huang
II. Family Day
R/V TKK’s distinctive and well-recognized operating mode is closely attributable to not only its ongoing cultural and institutional building, but the arduous efforts made by the dedicated crew and their supportive family. On March 27, all R/V TKK families were treated to an evening of tasty food and general merriment on the ship. They also celebrated R/V TKK’s fourth birthday on this much-awaited Family Day.
R/V TKK families got together to celebrate the ship’s fourth birthday. Photo: R/V TKK
III. Ode to Tan Kah Kee
On March 28, over 20 Tan Kah Kee Cultural Volunteers from Jimei Middle School read out Tan’s quotations in unison on the vessel, paying their most authentic tribute to Tan Kah Kee at the top of their lungs.
Tan Kah Kee Cultural Volunteers posed for a group photo after the event. Photo: Xiamen Jimei Media Center
IV. Public Screening of the Documentary Film “Research Vessel Tan Kah Kee”
Initiated by the XMU General Alumni Association, planned and executed by the XMU Alumni Association of Zhejiang & Hangzhou, and produced by Zhejiang Beiye Films, the documentary film “Research Vessel Tan Kah Kee” had its premiere upon the university’s centenary.
V. The 11th Lecture of XMU Cutting-edge Forum
On April 1, more than 30 students from 15 colleges at XMU took part in the 11th lecture of Nanqiang Xinrui Forum onboard R/V TKK. Yu Zhang, professor of College of Ocean and Earth Sciences of XMU (COE), and distinguished professor of the Yangtze River Scholar of the Ministry of Education of PRC, was invited to give a lecture on “Marine Bionic Robots and Intelligent Detection”.
Yu Zhang gave a lecture on the vessel.
VI. The Centenary Celebration Gala
R/V TKK was berthed in the waters right ahead the Jiannan Great Hall on the evening of April 6. Two drones carrying two scrolls inscribed with the motto of “Pursue Excellence” and “Strive for Perfection” flew from the ship to the century-old Shangxian Square where a grand centenary gala took place.
VII. Establishment Ceremony of R/V Tan Kah Kee Development Fund
On the evening of April 6, the establishment ceremony of R/V Tan Kah Kee Development Fund was held on the vessel at the gathering to celebrate the university’s centenary. Over 40 guests and alumni were invited onboard to attend the Fund establishment ceremony, along with a well-planned thank-you reception.
R/V Tan Kah Kee Development Fund was established. Photo: Jiajun Huang
VIII. The Awardee of Tan Kah Kee Young Scientist Award Tours R/V TKK
On April 7, Dr. Kejian Wang, professor of China National Rice Research Institute, and an awardee of 2020 Tan Kah Kee Young Scientist Award, made his first-ever tour on R/V TKK when he attended “Kah Kee Forum” held at XMU. Themed “Innovational Integration on Science, Technology, Education, and Economy”, presenters at the Forum gathered to discuss about how to thoroughly implement the new development concept, and how finance and education benefit the development of science, technology, and economy.
IX. Motic Donates Microscopes to R/V TKK
On April 10, Motic donated microscopes to R/V TKK and made concerted efforts to establish “Joint Laboratory in Ocean Imaging Science and Technology, JLOIST”. Honorable and distinguished guests from Fujian provincial government, Xiamen municipal government, XMU and Motic attended the event.
These philanthropic gifts that included a K-500L stereo microscope, a SM7+Moticam Pro S5 Plus stereo microscope, a PA53 FS6 fluorescence microscope, and a BA410E binocular bio-research microscope showcased Motic’s corporate social accountability to support oceanographic research on R/V TKK. In addition to the microscope donation, the JLOIST will further strengthen the university-business cooperation in maintaining the versatile sea-going platform, and cultivating high-caliber oceanographers.
JLOIST was established on the ship. Photo: Weidi Yang
X. 2021 Open House
On April 11, a total of over 1,000 alumni took on an up-close tour of R/V TKK. At the event, volunteers introduced the ship’s versatile equipment, outstanding performance, and scientific research highlights to the alumni, bringing them a better understanding of sea-going exploration, marine science and talent cultivation.
Visitors explored the vessel during the 2021 Open House. Photo: Wei Zhang
On the journey to the next centenary, R/V TKK will sail further.
