By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
Ryoo Dong-keun, president of Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU), recently held a meeting with the Norwegian Ambassador to Korea Anne Kari Hansen Ovind at the university headquarters in Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in education and research, the KMOU said on July 15.
Norway is the world's fourth-largest shipowner and a leading nation in shipbuilding and marine technology, with some of the world's most advanced shipbuilding equipment technology. The two countries have been actively collaborating in the marine sector, with Norway placing a significant number of ship orders in Korea.
President Ryoo and Norwegian Ambassador Anne Kari Hansen Ovind discussed ways to enhance cooperation in various global education and research areas, including the cultivation of outstanding marine talent, alternative energy such as offshore wind power, maritime logistics, and joint research on the Arctic route.
KMOU shared various initiatives related to marine education, including the cultivation of global marine talent and the promotion of women's participation in the marine sector, and agreed to expand the scope of cooperation to jointly advance research on Arctic routes and other Arctic research collaborations.
Recognizing the importance of decarbonization in global shipping, the two institutions agreed to continue joint research on various measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
President Ryoo said, “In order to cultivate excellent talent who can play an active role in the marine sector, which is transitioning to an eco-friendly and smart system, we will work closely with Norway, which has excellent technology in the fields of shipbuilding equipment and autonomous ships, to achieve mutual growth. Let's promote new opportunities for the sustainable development of the marine ecosystem, such as Norway's marine plan flagship, in various fields related to the Arctic shipping route and the marine sector.”
In response, the Norwegian Ambassador said, “We will strive to develop and operate joint programs that link Norway's various marine sector policy tasks and enable outstanding talents from Korea and Norway to advance into the global marine sector.”
She added, “We will establish the Korea-Norway Arctic Route Research Institute (tentative name) in conjunction with Glocal University 30 and provide generous support for the establishment of the SEA-4 Alliance.”
The SEA-4 Alliance is a system in which marine education and research institutions in four regions—Asia, Europe, and the Americas—collaborate, with Korea Maritime and Ocean University at its center.
Through this, KMOU plans to lead global marine education and research, attract outstanding talent, and cultivate global ocean leaders.
