Representatives of the Peruvian delegation pose for a group photo with SMU faculty members. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
A Peruvian congressional delegation visited Shanghai Maritime University on Tuesday, expressing willingness to strengthen maritime education and technology cooperation between China and Peru.
Led by Congresswoman Jhakeline Katy Ugarte Mamani and senior legislative representative Esdras Ricardo Medina Minaya from the Arequipa region, the visit followed last year's inauguration of Chancay Port, South America's first smart port, which has significantly reduced maritime transportation time between China and Peru.
SMU has contributed to the port's development through Professor Ding Yi's research team, which provided a digital energy management platform to COSCO Shipping Ports Ltd, the port's investor.
The delegation tour SMU's combination special liquid cargo vessel, Wusong. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"Maritime technology and education cooperation not only fulfills the mission of nurturing shipping talent but also bears the important responsibility of connecting the Belt and Road Initiative with Latin American development," said Song Baoru, Party secretary of the university, during the meeting.
Chu Beiping, president of SMU, highlighted the university's focus on integrating artificial intelligence with maritime education. As the host of the Maritime Technology Cooperation Center, Asia and secretariat of the International Maritime Lecturers Association, SMU is actively promoting the formation of the maritime education alliance among Belt and Road countries, Chu said.
Katy Ugarte, making her second visit to Shanghai, praised China's technological progress and emphasized the importance of China-Peru cooperation for Peru's economic development, particularly in education and artificial intelligence applications.
"China's approach to education and talent cultivation has produced remarkable results," she said. "We hope to learn from China's experience and strengthen high-level cooperation to benefit Peru's socioeconomic development."
A Peruvian congressional delegation visits Shanghai Maritime University. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The Peruvian delegates expressed interest in establishing educational partnerships. Esdras Medina proposed a collaboration between SMU and Peru's Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, the country's oldest public university, as well as the newly established university near Chancay Port.
"We hope to send Peruvian students to SMU for various levels of education, from undergraduate to doctoral studies, while also welcoming SMU students to study in Peru," he explained.
The delegation toured SMU's facilities, including the university museum, the combination special liquid cargo vessel Wusong, automated engine rooms and smart classrooms. Discussions covered ship energy efficiency, green fuels, digital twin technology in ports and shipping, and maritime talent development.
