On Nov. 20th, the Joint Forum on the Development of Greater Bay Area (GBA) in Maritime Education and Training (MET) was held online. Prof. Lu Jing, President of Shanghai Maritime University delivered a keynote speech at the forum. Mr. Gu Zhihao, Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA), Mr. Benjamin Wong, Head of Maritime Cluster, Invest Hong Kong, Prof. Sun Yuqing, President of Dalian Maritime University and Prof. Pan Xinxiang, President of Guangdong Ocean University, attended the forum. Nearly 300 people from the industry watched the live. Mr. Feng Jiapei, Deputy Director of HKSOA and Deputy Chairman and Secretary General of SMU Hong Kong Alumni Association, presided over the forum.
Prof. Lu Jing delivered a keynote speech themed with New Momentum, New Pattern and New Mission. He said that shipping is a basic and leading industry for the economic and social development of the GBA. It is also an important pillar that supports the steady and rapid economic development and enhances the international competitiveness of the GBA. The integrated construction of the GBA will bring new momentum to Hong Kong’s shipping industry. He analyzed the new pattern of demands for maritime talents in the future and put forward the new mission of SMU to serve maritime education accordingly. He said that SMU will combine the needs of the times and the market, pooling the wisdom of all parties to contribute to Hong Kong's promotion and improvement of MET.
Mr. Gu Zhihao said that as one of the world’s top 7 international shipping centers, Hong Kong has a huge demand for advanced shipping talents with its rich and unique maritime resources and advantages. He praised SMU and other mainland universities for providing a large number of outstanding shipping talents to the Hong Kong shipping industry over the years. He said HKSOA is willing to cooperate with all parties to promote the training of shipping talents and the development of the shipping industry in the GBA.
The forum was co-organized by HKSOA, Invest Hong Kong, Beyond Shipping and SMU Hong Kong Alumni Association. Themed with the Current situation of MET in GBA, Cooperation and Win-Win of GBA in MET, the forum had invited representatives from maritime institutes, related departments in government and shipping enterprises, exchanging views on the problems existing in the training of shipping talents and the future cooperation. The forum aims to discuss the opportunities brought by the development of the GBA for Hong Kong to promote and enhance maritime education and training, and how to guide Hong Kong’s young people to seize the opportunities and plan for the future.
