On the morning of November 13, a symposium on the future development of the International Antarctic Institute (IAI) was held at the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean University of China (OUC).

Professor Shi Jiuxin from POGOC, Ms. Jemma Foster (Director of Strategic Partnerships, Students and International Engagement at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, IMAS, University of Tasmania, Australia), and Ms. Deborah Hardwick (Senior Officer, Teaching Services and Academic Partnerships, IMAS) held in-depth discussions on IAI institutional reform, curriculum development, student exchange and other key topics. 

Shi Jiuxin noted that OUC had recently been selected as the new host of the IAI Secretariat and attached great importance to the restart and development of this international cooperation platform. As a founding member and the first secretariat host of IAI, the University of Tasmania was expected to share its experience in IAI management and operation.

As the current IAI representative of the University of Tasmania, Jemma Foster expressed strong support for OUC taking over the IAI Secretariat and high expectations for the rapid revitalization of IAI under OUC’s leadership. She also shared successful experience of the University of Tasmania in IAI curriculum construction and international educational cooperation.

Participants held full discussions on revising the IAI statutes, adjusting the organizational structure, innovating teaching models, improving the curriculum system, promoting personnel exchanges, and deepening the integration of science and education.