Commencing on November 23, the 2023 China Marine Economy Expo (CMEE) and Shenzhen International Ocean Week set the stage for a week of exploration and innovation.

The Department of Ocean Science and Engineering (OSE) at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) seized the opportunity to showcase its cutting-edge scientific and technological advancements at the CMEE.

Through the use of physical displays, models, and multimedia exhibits, the Department of OSE highlighted its high-quality scientific and technological achievements, aiming to further enhance the University’s social influence.

This marks the third occasion that SUSTech has participated in the CMEE. The University displayed a spectrum of technological research achievements and industrial applications within the exhibition area dedicated to “Marine Electronic Information” application scenarios.

Noteworthy innovations included the seabed seismograph, the “Firebirds of the sea” Drone Array, underwater robot water collection systems, and the full degree of freedom of underwater mobile robot platform. These exhibits garnered significant interest from numerous marine-focused research institutions and enterprises, affirming their relevance and impact in the field.

At the exhibition booth, a particular emphasis was placed on the “Firebirds of the sea” Drone Array offshore equipment system.

Developed by the team led by Chuanlun ZHANG, Chair Professor of the Department of OSE, this innovative product offers a customizable Drone Array flight platform and airborne equipment, and provides an intelligent, unmanned, clustered, high-precision, and high-sea-state Drone Array marine system designed to meet the needs of marine research.

In practical application, the Drone Array marine equipment technology system enables simultaneous spatial gradient multi-point sampling, time series continuous sampling, and environmental data collection in both nearshore and far-sea environments. This innovative approach enhances and expands the existing ocean observation system, supporting research related to marine ecology.

During the expo, in addition to product exhibitions, several scholars from the Department of OSE participated in the Shenzhen Global Marine Economy Forum 2023, analyzing the evolving trends in ocean development and contributing insightful ideas to the field of ocean science and technology.

Jian LIN, Chair Professor of the Department of OSE, delivered a keynote report, underscoring the imperative response required amid unprecedented global changes and the evolving international landscape.

He emphasized the importance of addressing key core technologies, and developing emerging marine industries, particularly focusing on the development of deep-sea resources and environmentally sustainable practices.

He advocated for strategic planning in key research and development sectors, intensifying international collaboration, exploring innovative pathways in marine higher education, implementing the “+ocean” innovation concept, enhancing Shenzhen’s international marine competitiveness, and building a world-class innovation hub.

Ye LI, Professor of the Department of OSE, was also invited to participate in the Marine Renewable Energy Industry Development Forum 2023, and delivered a report offering valuable insights and suggestions for developing and utilizing marine energy.

Aligned with the spirit of Shenzhen International Ocean Week, on November 25, the Department of OSE hosted an award ceremony for its 3^rd “Ocean Exploration”–Themed Photography Contest and Ocean Environment Protection Salon.

A total of five first prizes, ten second prizes, and twenty third prizes were selected from a pool of 244 works, with the award-winning pieces being exhibited at Yidan Library.

The CMEE holds the esteemed reputation of being recognized as the country’s number one marine exhibition.

The Department of OSE at SUSTech views the CMEE as an opportunity to engage in research and development in the field of marine innovation. It is committed to fostering collaborations with numerous scientific research institutions and enterprises, and through this engagement, advances technological innovation, the industrialization of achievements, and the development of Shenzhen into an international ocean city.