Signing Ceremony of MOU between TIO-MNR and Pathein University held virtually

On August 27th, 2021, On behalf of Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources(TIO), Dr. Cai Feng signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources and Pathein University(PU), Myanmar on Marine Science and Technology Cooperation in the cloud, with Dr. Than Tun, Rector of Pathein University. Dr. Chen Bin, Deputy Director-General of TIO, Dr. Myint Myint Khaing and Dr. Nay Aung, Pro-rectors of PU, witnessed signing of the MOU with authorities and experts of related departments from both sides.

Under the MOU framework, the two sides bind the further practical cooperation in exchange of students and faculty, postgraduates programs, scientific research and the application of techniques on the areas of marine dynamics process and ecosystem responses, marine geographic environment and coastal disasters, marine eco-restoration and biodiversity, etc.

The MOU as the second cooperative agreement between TIO and Myanmar institutions, diversified the development of China-Myanmar marine cooperation. The collaboration between TIO and PU will play an important role in promoting China's marine observation and research in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, as well as the establishment of the follow-up China-Myanmar Marine Research Center, serving the Maritime Silk Road Construction. 

Pathein University, under the Ministry of Education of Myanmar, is one of the key universities in Myanmar, outstanding for abundant observation data and distinct regional advantages in the field of offshore biodiversity research. During the 2017 winter cruise, our research vessel “Xiang Yang Hong 03” carried out the China-Myanmar Joint Cruise with Ministry of Defense (Myanmar), Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation and Ministry of Education (Myanmar) in the Myanmar’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for the first time, marked the beginning of the friendship between TIO and PU. In July 2019, Rector Than Tun from PU led the delegation to visit TIO, the two sides agreed the intention of MOU then. In January 2020, another China-Myanmar joint cruise was carried out in the Ayeyarwady coastal region, which achieved important progresses in climate change and ecosystem research and finalized the development of MOU. 5 years of efforts bring TIO and PU to the milestone of practical cooperation against all the adversities.