On 28 November 2025, the donation ceremony for the China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences (CAMS) Education Development Fund was held at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), which will be used to support the development of CAMS at Xiamen University Malaysia, rewarding outstanding students, encouraging scientific innovation, as well as promoting talent cultivation, academic development, and research.

The fund was launched by Prof. Dai Minhan, an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, alumnus of Xiamen University, Deputy Director of the XMU Council, Dean of the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology, and Honorary Director of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science - who donated the entire RMB 200,000 prize he received from the 2023 Nanqiang Outstanding Contribution Award to its establishment.

Meanwhile, Mr. Gao Long, alumnus of Xiamen University, President of the XMU Alumni Association of Yunnan, and Chairman of Yunnan Xianghua Education Group, contributed RMB 2 million to the fund.

The ceremony was attended by Prof. Dai Minhan, Mr. Gao Xiangming (son of Mr. Gao Long), Prof. Wang Ruifang, President of Xiamen University Malaysia, Prof. Liu Zhiyu, Dean of XMU College of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Dean of the China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences, among other guests.

In the speech, Prof. Dai Minhan expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the education he received at XMU and for the support of colleagues at home and abroad in advancing marine science. He emphasized that establishing the China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences in Malaysia, where Xiamen University founder Mr. Tan Kah Kee began his entrepreneurial journey, represents the college's gratitude and contribution to Mr. Tan Kah Kee's vision. He also encouraged public donations to the fund, hoping the college will carry forward Mr. Tan Kah Kee's spirit, cultivate innovative marine talents, and promote scientific advancement.

Mr. Gao Xiangming highlighted that his father, Gao Long, has always upheld Mr. Tan Kah Kee’s belief in saving the country through education and the spirit of gratitude and dedication. As a descendant of a Xiamen University alumnus and a graduate of Xiamen University Malaysia, he hopes this donation will support the university's educational development and contribute to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

On behalf of the CAMS's faculty and students, Tan Ru En, a year two undergraduate, expressed sincere appreciation to Prof. Dai Minhan and Mr. Gao Long. She noted that the support provides strong backing for research and teaching, injects new momentum into the college's growth, and encourages students to pursue academic research and explore the sea with confidence.