During the 90th anniversary (1924-2014) of Ocean University of China, the Second Seminar on Developing Strategy of Marine Engineering Geology was held on November 1, 2014 in Qingdao. Professor Gong Xiaonan, academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and Professor He Manchao, academician of Chinese Academy of Science, and other more than 50 experts attended the conference, providing constructive comments on the development of marine engineering geology and the first national major scientific special funding in the engineering geological field on In-situ Surveying Equipment of Engineering Geology in Complex Deep Sea (SEEGeo).

       This seminar was co-hosted by the IAEG C34 (Marine engineering geology committee) and Earth Science Division of National Natural Science Foundation of China, and organized by Ocean University of China. Dr. Liu Yu, director of the Earth Science Division, Dr. Xiong Juhua and Dr. Liu Zhe attended the meeting as the representatives of NSFC. Professor Yu Zhigang, president of OUC, attended the seminar and delivered a speech. Professor Jia Yonggang, Chairman of IAEG C34, chaired the seminar.

       Yu Zhigang, on behalf of OUC, expressed warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to all the guests for attending this seminar. “It’s very important to strengthen discipline construction and improve the innovative ability in strategy of Strong Ocean Country”, he said, “we should make full use of the comprehensive advantages of marine science, dedicated to make a breakthrough”. He also indicated that the favor from NSFC and brother institutes was credited with the approval of the project. Finally, “It will be a challenging journey, so we must work together to promote the development of marine engineering geology subject and serve the national marine development”, he demonstrated.

       “Congratulation!”, said Liu Yu, “Now, the rate of stated-sponsored project about major scientific instruments development is less than 5%. It is one of the most competitive national natural science fund project. Well, you can got the project. Which means that your school have scientific and technological strength in the field of marine engineering geology”. At last, she expressed her gratitude for the experts’ supports all the time. Meanwhile, she hopes that a wave of excellent young talents will play a major role at work several years later.

       During the kick-off meeting for the national major scientific special funding, Jia Yonggang introduced the general situation as the project leader. Then 7 working groups illustrated detailed implementation programs respectively. Further, the specialists put forward some advices and suggestions. During the next stage for public discussion on developing strategy of marine engineering geology, all the attendees presented their opinions on the following issues: marine soil properties and constitutive relation, submarine landslide and turbidity current, bearing capacity of seabed foundation and anchor system, pore water pressure dissipation and liquefaction of seabed soil, investigation techniques and approaches of marine engineering geology, and talent cultivation and project creation in the field of marine engineering geology.

       On November 2, 2014, the attendees visited some research institutions in Qingdao including Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, the First Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Marine Engineering Laboratory, OUC, and the under-construction Marine Science and Technology Laboratory and National Deep Sea Center.

Attendees Photo of 2^nd Seminar on Development Strategies of Marine Engineering Geology

                                                     By. Qi Shengwen