The 2026 Shanghai Summer School programs in sustainable aquaculture and aquatic animal welfare concluded jointly on July 2 at Shanghai Ocean University. During the 18-day programs, 44 Chinese and international students participated in a series of academic activities, including expert lectures, fieldwork, and online guidance from the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

During the program's closing ceremony, student representatives shared their reflections on the enriching journey. Esther Lehou Dan from the African Development Bank said the aquaculture program deepened her understanding of sustainable aquaculture and provided valuable experiences through lectures, field visits, and cultural exchanges.

Tao Ying, a Chinese student in the Aquatic Animal Welfare program, emphasized the value of engaging with global scholars and international peers, noting that these exchanges broadened her perspective on the future of aquaculture.

Launched in 2008 by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Education, the Shanghai Summer School has become a key platform for international educational exchange. Shanghai Ocean University introduced its sustainable aquaculture program in 2025, and the 2026 edition featured a special module on aquatic animal welfare, developed in collaboration with Chinese and international universities and research institutions.

The program directors Sun Zheng and Li Kang noted that the joint organization of the two programs was an innovation. They added that the activities not only introduced international students to China's advanced aquaculture technologies and practices but also created opportunities for Chinese and overseas students to collaborate on global challenges in sustainable aquaculture.

Source: Official WeChat account of the International Student Office of Shanghai Ocean University