Head of the International and Strategic Partnerships Office (ISPO), vice-chair of IOC-UNESCO, Dr. Stephen Hall, Head of Enterprise and Research Impact, the National Oceanography Centre, Dr. Kevin Forshaw, and Dr. Nico Caltabiano from International CLIVAR Project Office, First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), visited IOCAS on September 2ed, 2015. Dr. Wang Fan, Assistant Director Dr. Li Chaolun, and Academician Hu Dunxin and related experts greeted the guests.  

Dr. Wang Fan welcomed the visiting guests and introduced the general situation of IOCAS in the view of discipline layout, key research field, and the capacity building. Dr. LI Chaolun emphatically introduced the situation of scientific research and international cooperation.

Dr. Stephen Hall gave a speech named “How possible is it to replace a survey ship or patrol vessel with an autonomous vehicle?” He introduced the latest progress of the studies on the underwater robot in NOC, discussed several aspects in the application of the Marine science research from the underwater robot; Dr. Kevin Forshaw introduced relevant experiences between the National Oceanography Centre and the study on the enterprise cooperation.  

The two sides have carried out in-depth exchange of common sense of interest, and looking forward to establish good relations of cooperation in relevant areas. The group visited Marine Biological Museum Chinese Academy of Sciences during this visiting.