Xiamen University's College Of Ocean & Earth Sciences: Shaping Asia's Blue Future

Prof. Xue Xiongzhi

Dean

Higher education in Asia has always been a rich soil of discovery, with the ancient scholarship traditions now merging with state-of-the-art research. One of its most vibrant frontiers is Earth and Environmental Science, a field that holds the key to humanity's biggest challenge our survival on an impermanent planet. At this juncture, Xiamen University's College of Ocean and Earth Sciences is a shining example, where history and innovation are mixed and matched with science and ethics.

The history of marine sciences at Xiamen University is nearly as long as the university itself. It dates back to the 1920s, when its researchers' papers started appearing in Science, announcing China's entry into international marine research.

In 1946, the university established the country's first Department of Oceanography, followed by the College of Oceanography and Environmental Science in 1996, which was reformed into today's College of Ocean and Earth Sciences in 2011.

Almost a century of pursuit of learning moulded a legacy that gave rise to icons such as Wu Xianwen, Zeng Chengkui, and Chen Yiyu pioneers whose contributions paved the blue economy and marine ecological conservation of China.

Leadership in Earth & Environmental Science

Earth and Environmental Sciences are of utmost significance in the context of Asia's higher education, as countries all over the continent are struggling with rising tides, urban pollution, loss of biodiversity, and climate change. The field is not merely about the study of natural systems it is about saving lives, creating resilient infrastructure, and informing sustainable development. For China's 'Maritime Silk Road' dreams as well as global climate goals, Xiamen University's knowledge has become the gold standard.

What makes the Xiamen University’s College of Ocean and Earth Sciences different is not just its age, but its ability to reinvent itself with every era. Anchored in strong traditions of marine science, it has expanded into multi-disciplinary crossings merging oceanography with engineering, sociology, and even the humanities.

Its faculty boasts world-renowned scientists including members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chang Jiang Scholars, and young innovators funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. With 95.7 percent of its faculty holding PhDs and more than 75 percent having overseas experience, the college blends local depth with international perspective.

Programs, Faculty, and Research Ecosystem

The Xiamen University’s College of Ocean & Earth Sciences currently nurtures over 1,000 students across undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. Programs span oceanography, marine biology, marine chemistry, geophysics, and applied marine engineering. The Ministry of Education has recognized its marine sciences program as a top national education program, complete with PhD and postdoctoral tracks.

The college is also home to five departments, namely Physical Oceanography, Marine Biological Science and Technology, Applied Marine Physics and Engineering, Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, and Geological Oceanography. Its labs are world-class, including the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, the “Underwater Acoustic Communication and Marine Information Technology MOE Key Laboratory”, and the State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology. Together, these facilities enable research that spans from air-sea CO₂ exchange and ocean acidification to blue carbon restoration and microbial carbon storage.

Breakthroughs like the Microbial Carbon Pump (MCP) framework, pioneered by Prof. Nianzhi Jiao, have reshaped how the world understands carbon cycling in oceans, earning coverage in Nature Reviews Microbiology & Science. Similarly, research on ocean acidification by Prof. Kunshan Gao and carbon fluxes in marginal seas by Prof. Minhan Dai have received top national honors.

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Xiamen University’s College of Ocean &Earth Sciences transforms knowledge of oceans into action for a sustainable tomorrow
– Prof. Xue Xiongzhi , Dean

The highlight of Xiamen University’s College of Ocean and Earth Sciences is the research vessel R/V TKK, which was delivered in 2017. This vessel comes equipped with dynamic positioning systems, ultra-clean seawater sampling, advanced sonar, and laboratories at sea. These features allow scientists to conduct multidisciplinary research in global ice-free waters. In many ways, it acts as a floating university, showcasing how the college combines classroom learning with real-world exploration.

Future Vision

Looking forward, the Xiamen University’s College of Ocean & Earth Sciences is not merely sustaining its legacy it is expanding it. With China’s vision of becoming a maritime power and global concerns around climate change, the college’s role is set to grow in both national strategy and international collaboration. Its work on coastal restoration, blue carbon, and sustainable fisheries positions it as a global thought leader. The China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences, an initiative under it reflects its ambition to train regional talent for the 21st-century ‘Maritime Silk Road’. By fostering professionals who can bridge science, policy, and technology, the college is shaping not just research, but the very future of sustainable development in Asia.

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