In China, the government recently identified 100 Chinese universities as the best in their respective disciplines. Each of these universities, in turn, is searching the globe for a partner university with an equally exceptional reputation in that same discipline where China can send graduate students to study. The Ocean University of China was tapped as China’s top fisheries program, and now the Chinese government is paying to send 10 graduate students a year for the next five years to study at Ocean’s hand-picked partner – Auburn University. “We are required to choose the best in the world, and we chose Auburn,” said Ocean University Vice President Shuanglin Dong.

While AU has hosted international graduate students and visiting faculty for many years, this is the first time a foreign country will pay the way for so many students – and even some faculty – to come to Auburn. It’s a testament to the international reputation of Auburn’s fisheries and aquacultures program and a remarkable opportunity to strengthen fisheries knowledge and education, both in China and the U.S.

Standing (L-R): Dr. John Liu, AU associate dean of Agriculture; Dr. Qi Li, head of Aquaculture, Ocean University; Dr. David Rouse, head of AU Fisheries; Dr. George Flowers, interim dean, AU graduate school.
Seated (L-R): Dr. Shuanglin Dong, VP for Ocean University; Dr. Joe Pittman, interim dean, AU graduate school.