On March 10, the Opening Ceremony of the 5th International Class Program was officially held at SMU. Prof. Jin Yongxing, Vice President of SMU, together with leaders from relative departments and colleges, and teacher representatives attended the ceremony.
In his welcoming speech, Vice President Jin Yongxing on behalf of IMLA (International Maritime Lecturers Association) sent warm congratulations on the opening of the 5th International Class Program. He said that the International Class Program is a key window for SMU’s foreign exchanges and cooperation and it also provides a communication platform for various cultures. The international students would not only learn professional knowledge, but also have the opportunity to experience the charm of Chinese culture. And then he encouraged the students to study hard, enhance communications and make efforts to become an academic and cultural ambassador of the exchanges between SMU and maritime colleges in other countries.
Student representative Derek Damon from Massachusetts Maritime Academy made a speech.
In the welcome party that night, the international students had fantastic interactions with SMU students.
The International Class program offers four programs including Marine Technology, Marine Engineering, Shipping Management and Environmental Engineering. It has attracted 40 foreign students from 6 countries including America, German, Poland, Ukraine, Korea and Denmark to study at SMU, among them Ukraine and Denmark are the first time to take part in this program.
