From July 13 to 21, Chairman of the Shanghai Maritime University Council Song Baoru led a delegation to Peru and Brazil, visiting institutions such as the National Saint Louis Gonzaga University in Ica, the National University of San Marcos, the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, and the Chancay Port, as well as the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, the Lula Institute and so on. The delegation conducted in-depth research on South American maritime education, the application of maritime port and shipping technologies, and the development and talent needs of COSCO Shipping's business in South America, aiming to expand the school’s maritime education cooperation with Latin American countries.
At the National Saint Louis Gonzaga University in Peru, the delegation attended a faculty-student meeting, where Song Baoru introduced Shanghai Maritime University and China’s maritime higher education system to over 200 faculty and students. He hoped to use this exchange as an opportunity to foster cooperation between the two universities in talent cultivation, faculty and student exchanges, and other areas. The delegation also visited the university's Supercomputing Center. University President Dante Fermín Calderón Huamaní emphasized that China, especially Shanghai, has achieved remarkable successes in economic and social development, and Shanghai Maritime University is globally renowned. The university is eager to collaborate with Shanghai Maritime University in student exchanges, faculty visits, and scientific and technological exchanges.
At the National University of San Marcos, President Jeri Gloria Ramón Ruffner led the reception and introduced the history and development of South America's oldest university. He expressed the hope to strengthen cooperation with Shanghai Maritime University to learn from China’s advanced maritime technologies and cultivate urgently needed maritime talents to serve the development of Peru’s shipping economy. Song Baoru shared the history, disciplinary features, and educational goals of Shanghai Maritime University, providing insights into how talent, technology, and education contribute to the construction of Shanghai as an international shipping center. He noted that the shipping industry is a crucial pillar of economic development, and he hoped for further collaboration to contribute to the development of the Chancay Port. Both sides discussed cooperation in faculty and student exchanges, technological research, and other areas.
At the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Song Baoru’s delegation conducted a detailed assessment of the university’s business school operations and academic programs. They discussed potential collaboration in international dual degree programs with Sol Sanguinetti, the project supervisor of the business school, and proposed broader cooperation between the two universities in fields such as engineering and law.
During the Peru visit, the delegation also visited the Chancay Port to investigate the application of maritime port and shipping technology, the future development of the port, and the talent needs of the port. The delegation held discussions with the Mayor of Chancay, Juan Alberto Álvarez Andrade, on future cooperation in port and shipping talent and technological development.
On July 16, at the invitation of Peruvian congresswoman Jhakeline Katy Ugarte Mamani and congressman Esdras Ricardo Medina Minaya, Song Baoru and his delegation held talks with nine university presidents from the National Public Universities Association of Peru. They explored cooperation in student exchange, academic exchanges, and joint scientific research. Song Baoru presented the latest developments of Shanghai Maritime University, shared China’s experience, and proposed suggestions for multi-dimensional, multi-channel, and multi-form international cooperation.
In Brazil, at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, the delegation met with Romildo Toledo, the Executive director of the Science Park-UFRJ, and Segan Stephen, the General Diretor of the Brazilian National Institute for Ocean Research. They exchanged the latest progress in marine science and technology, and visited the university’s Laboratory of Waves and Currents, the Ocean Structures Nucleus, and the National Institute for Ocean Research. Song Baoru highlighted Shanghai Maritime University’s specialization in marine engineering, marine digital technologies, and marine green energy technologies, and expressed hope for joint cooperation to enhance marine science and technology and promote sustainable marine development. Both sides discussed international research cooperation and joint talent cultivation.
During their visit to Brazil, the delegation also met with officials from the Lula Institute and the National Waterway Transportation Agency of Brazil.
This visit marked the first trip of a Shanghai Maritime University delegation to South America. The goal was to expand the university’s international cooperation footprint and explore education, science, and cultural exchanges with Latin American countries. This will provide talent services for international shipping enterprises going global and implement the China-Latin America Forum declaration. The delegation’s visit left a lasting impression of Shanghai Maritime University in South America, deeply feeling the region’s expectations for the development of the shipping industry and education.
The delegation was accompanied by representatives from COSCO SHIPPING (South America) Co., Ltd., the Shanghai Maritime University Council, the International Office, the College of Transport &Communications, and the School of Economics & Management.
