On the evening of July 3, 2021, Banlam Grand Theater, Motic, Shambhala Charity, and Marine Operations (XMU), and other citywide charity donors made concerted philanthropic efforts onboard R/V TKK to fund the upcoming Shambhala-led project “Dream-Pursuing Journey in Xiamen” that would help elementary school students from undeveloped regions in western China fulfill their dreams.

A copy of certification of honor given by Shambhala Charity

This project is initiated not only to offer the students an opportunity to see the world outside the mountains, but encourage them to explore the unknowns and possibilities by their own efforts. Hence they can personally understand that the ocean is not that remote from the mountain.

Photo: Weidi Yang

A week later, facing the ongoing sporadic COVID-19 outbreaks nationwide, this project was successfully implemented thanks to prudent epidemic prevention and control measures and a carefully planned schedule. Twenty-four outstanding students arrived in Xiamen as scheduled, and made a campus tour at XMU and on R/V TKK.

During the tour, they learned about the university’s centenary history at the Museum of Xiamen University History, and appreciated the Jiannan Auditorium. Besides, they took on a field trip on Haiyang 2, a small research ship, expecting to encounter Chinese White Dolphins. Afterwards, the visit to R/V TKK helped them access more hands-on sea-going details.

Students on the century-old Shangxian Square. Photo: Qiuling Liu

Students toured the vessel. Photo: Weidi Yang

Mr. Tan Kah Kee once said that education was the foundation and the bounden duty of the nation. With Tan’s conviction of empowering nation through education, R/V TKK, Tan’s namesake, aspires to serve societal needs of promoting marine culture, extending the scope for ocean science studies, and increasing public awareness of marine conservation.