The “Deep Blue NEXT” program and the 5^th International Summer School on Deep-Ocean Science and Technology were held in Dapeng New District, Shenzhen. Co-hosted by the Advanced Institute for Ocean Research (AIOR) of the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech)/Shenzhen Ocean University Preparatory Office, and the Global Ocean Capital Promotion Council of Shenzhen, with the theme “AI Empowered Ocean Innovation.” It attracted over 300 young participants from more than 100 universities, research institutions, and related organizations across more than 10 countries.

Chaoyang HU, Chairman of Shenzhen Port Group and President of the Shenzhen Association for the Development of a Global Maritime Central City; Wensheng YAO, Deputy Party Secretary and Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection of SUSTech, as well as Special Commissioner of the Shenzhen Municipal Supervisory Commission stationed at SUSTech; alongside leading officials from the Shenzhen Municipal Education Bureau, Shenzhen Municipal Ocean Bureau, Dapeng New District Administration and other municipal authorities, academicians, experts, young researchers and enterprise representatives attended the opening ceremony.

Wensheng YAO delivered an opening address. He noted that SUSTech is taking the lead in establishing Shenzhen Ocean University, committed to building an innovation platform for deep-sea science and technology as well as global ocean governance, to underpin Shenzhen’s development into a global ocean center city.

The summer school was initiated by more than ten academicians, including Jian LIN, Dake CHEN, and Xiaofei CHEN, as well as directors of multiple marine research institutes affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China. The Deep Blue Master Lectures featured keynote speeches delivered by distinguished academicians Jian LIN, Qinghu MENG, Qiang XU, Bi ZHANG from SUSTech, Dekun YANG from Northwestern Polytechnical University, Jun YANG from University of Electronic Science and Technology, Zhengxiang LI from Laoshan Laboratory, and Teck-Peng LOH from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, among others.

Representatives from research institutions and tech companies conducted in-depth discussions on cutting-edge topics, including artificial intelligence, deep-ocean exploration, ocean engineering equipment, energy materials, and ocean life and health. A total of 15 international participants from Europe, America, Singapore, and South Pacific island nations facilitated academic exchange and intellectual debate among young marine scholars worldwide.

A series of interactive sessions was arranged throughout the summer school, namely the Deep Blue Film Night, Master Dialogues, Young Scientists Innovation Forums, and Future Outlook Forums with Entrepreneurs. Participants also embarked on the Deep Blue NEXT Enterprise Tour, visiting places such as the Shenzhen Baguang International Bio-valley Exhibition Hall, Dapeng UAV Test Base of Shenzhen Urban Transport Construction Group, and Shenzhen Zeyi Cell Therapy Group for on-site learning activities.