Brief Introduction

The establishment of Marine Development Studies Centre (MDSC) was approved by Ministry of Education of People's Republic of China in December 2004. Being one of a hundred research centers in social science in China, the Center enters into the “985 Project” of National Innovation Center in philosophy and social science.

In three-to-five years, Marine Development Studies Center aims at turning itself into the National Innovative Marine Development Center, Marine Education Centre for Elites and Consultation Center for Strategic Marine Management Institutions as well as Information Center for Marine Social Science.

Historical Development:

Attaching due importance to social science research and the relevant research institutions, OUC established in early 1980s the Institute for the Law of the Sea, Institute for Marine Economy, Education Centre for National View on the Sea and the Institute for Prevention and Reduction of Marine-related Disasters which involve both arts and science.

In April 2003 MDSC was set up, facilitating the application of research projects with the launching of the research in marine politics and marine social science based on the precious research in marine laws, marine economy, marine management, and marine culture.

In 2004, Ocean University of China succeeded in the bidding of the Research Organization in Social Science from the Ministry of Education, coupled with the Innovation Organization in National Philosophy and Social Science of “985 Project”. In December 2004, MDSC was confirmed by the Ministry of Education as the foundation of the above two organizations.

Structure

• Administration
• Information Center
• Institute for Marine Economy and Management Research
• Institute for the Law the Sea
• Institute for Marine Politics Research
• Institute for Marine History and Social Research

Research

The three-year plan of Marine Development Studies Centre is breaking through disciplinary obstructions, integrating research resources and developing cross-disciplinary research in accordance with the marine sustainable development guaranteed by marine politics. The research areas are as follows:

• Regional Marine Economy and Zoology Economy
• General Guarantee Scheme for Marine Sustainable Development
• Population of Costal Areas and Urban Development
• Legal Systems for Marine Development
• Strategic Development of Marine Politics in China

Management

The management of the Center will follow the mode of key social science institutions in the Ministry of Education:

• Dual administration featuring the administrative chief in charge of administration and the senior experts responsible for academic affairs.
• Employment catering to all faculty and staff.
• On-campus mechanism for off-campus researchers.

Human resources plan

Currently the researchers total 15 full-time and 12 part-time. For OUC's “Project of Boosting Philosophy and Social Science Talents”, the Center plans to introduce around 10 well-known scholars from home and abroad.

Administration staff

Director-general: Wang Shuguang, former Administrator of the State Oceanic Administration)

Executive Deputy Director: Li Yaozhen,

Deputy Director: Pang Yuzhen, Han Limin

Research institutes and research fellows:

• Institute for Marine Economy and Management Research
  • Director: Han Limin
  • Members: Liu Hongbin, Wang Miao, Gao Qiang, Liu Shuguang, Mu Yongtong, Wang Qi, Han Zenglin (off-campus), Xu Zhibin (off-campus).
• Institute for the Law of the Sea
  • Director: Xue Guifang
  • Members: Xu Xiangmin, Ma Yingjie
• Institute for Marine Politics Research
  • Director: Liu Zhongmin
  • Members: Xiu bin, Guo Peiqing
• Institute for Marine History and Social Research
  • Director: Qu Jinliang.
  • Members: Chen Shangsheng (off-campus)
  • Cui Feng, Li Yushang, Chen Jie.

Achievements

1. Specialties

The establishment of MDSC has improved the specialties framework with three major specialties founded on the basis of the institutes for marine economy and management, marine laws, marine politics, marine history and society:

(1) Research on Marine Economy and Marine Management involving

• Theoretical Research on Marine Industry
• Research on Marine Industry Structure
• Research on Sustainable development of Marine Industry”.

(2) Research on Marine Politics and the Law of the Sea including six areas:

• T he Maintenance and Countermeasures for Ocean Rights in China
• Strategic Research on Marine Politics of Major Costal Countries in Asia-Pacific regions
• Strategic Research on Marine Politics Conception in China
• Research on marine laws and Marine Politics in China
• Research on Marine Environment Protection
• Research on Marine Resource Exploitation and Management”.

(3) Research on Marine History and Marine Social Research, including

• Marine Culture Heritage in China
• Marine History in China
• Problems Concerning Marine Environment and Social Transformation

2. Distinct specialties and their levels

(1) Theoretical Research on Marine Industry

At present, several major projects of provincial- and ministerial-level are undertaken in accordance with the marine disciplines of the university.

(2) Research on Marine Laws and Policies

Well supported by relevant national institutions, some research projects of national and regional level concerning issues on ocean, environment protection, fishery and marine affairs laws as well as management have been completed. Some international co-operation programs have been implemented. Large numbers of theses have been published. Several courses have been initiated combining the distinct disciplines and specialties.

(3) Research on Marine Politics

At present, major distinct specialties include Research on Maintenance and Countermeasures for Ocean Rights in China, Marine Strategy in Japan and Research on Antarctic Issues. Since the preparation work for Research on Marine Politics in 2003, about 20 theses have been published.

(4) Research on Marine Culture Heritage and Marine Culture Theory

A series of academic literatures and theses have been published such as Research on Marine Culture in China publications, Outline of Marine Culture, Marine Culture and Society. Twenty-five graduate students are currently studying marine history and geography at the Center.

(5) Research on Maritime Affairs

Some sophisticated marine issues have been researched with the support of Shandong Centre of Judicial Authentication. Some researches enjoy high prestige particularly in such fields as marine environment compensation, compensation for vessel collisions, compensation for general average and particular average.

3. Innovation capacity

Tel: 86-532-82032066

Fax: 86-532-82032066

E-mail: gengmy@ouc.edu.cn