Xiamen University (XMU) and IPB University, Indonesia, have deepened their partnership in marine science, fisheries, and education through a series of academic exchanges and training activities led by XMU and the research vessel Tan Kah Kee (RV TKK).

The collaboration began in June 2025, when a XMU delegation visited IPB University in Bogor. The delegation included Prof. Yawei Luo as Deputy Dean of College of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Dr. Haili Wang as Director of MarOps, and Dr. Kuanbo Zhou, Associate Professor of XMU. The meeting with Prof. Dr. Ir. Iskandar, Vice Rector for Global Connectivity, Cooperation and Alumni and Prof. Dr. Fredinan Yulianda, Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, set the foundation for long-term cooperation in joint research, academic exchange, and talent development.

During RV TKK’s port call at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, Indonesia in August, an Open House event was co-organized by XMU, IPB University, and Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) under the SEA-BIRD (Science, Education, and Adventure on Board) program. The event showcased the vessel’s advanced ocean research capabilities and promoted student and researcher exchanges between the two universities.

Following the Open House, over 30 scientists and students from both countries joined the “Scientific Joy Cruise with Tan Kah Kee Research Vessel” (“XMU@SEA”), a four-day training cruise from Jakarta to Port Klang, Malaysia, which included short lectures from IPB and BRIN experts and practical sessions on marine safety, team-building, and research operations. In closing, the students presented their sailing experiences and lessons learned during the training on the vessel.

Through these activities, RV TKK continues to advance her mission of provide the best possible facility, technical and operational assets to meet seagoing scientific and educational mission requirements of academic community.

Photo: Fahmi Rifky Nur, Zhou Jiang

Revised by MarOps