Donation Ceremony for the “China–ASEAN College of Marine Sciences Education Development Fund” Held at XMUM
On 28 November, Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) held a donation ceremony for the China–ASEAN College of Marine Sciences (CAMS) Education Development Fund during the 2025 Global Chinese Marine Science Symposium. Attendees included Academician Minhan Dai, XMU alumnus (Class of 1983, Oceanography), Deputy Chair of the XMU University Council, Dean of the Division of Earth Science and Technology, Honorary Director of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Biogeochemistry and Chair of the CAMS International Advisory Committee. Also present were Mr. Gao Xiangming, who attended on behalf of his father Mr. Gao Long, an XMU alumnus (Class of 1980, Chemistry) and major donor to the fund, as well as Prof. Wang Ruifang, President of XMUM, and Prof. Liu Zhiyu, Dean of the College of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Dean of CAMS. The ceremony was hosted by Prof. Liu Zhiyu.
The CAMS Education Development Fund was initiated through a donation by Academician Minhan Dai, who contributed the full RMB 200,000 prize he received from the 2023 Xiamen University Nanqiang Outstanding Contribution Award, the university’s highest honor. In addition, Mr. Gao Long made an earmarked donation of RMB 2 million to further strengthen the fund. The fund supports CAMS at XMUM by encouraging student excellence, promoting scientific innovation and advancing talent cultivation, discipline development and research capacity.
In his remarks, Academician Dai expressed gratitude to his alma mater and to colleagues worldwide for their support of marine science. He noted that establishing CAMS in Malaysia, the birthplace of XMU founder Tan Kah Kee, reflects the discipline’s appreciation for Tan’s legacy. He welcomed contributions from the broader community to the fund and expressed hope that CAMS will uphold the Tan Kah Kee spirit and cultivate innovative high-level marine talents.
Speaking on behalf of his father, Mr. Gao Xiangming shared that Mr. Gao Long had always embraced Tan Kah Kee’s belief in “saving the nation through education” and his spirit of gratitude and dedication. As both a descendant of an XMU alumnus and an XMUM graduate, he hoped the donation would advance the university’s educational mission and support high-quality development under the Belt and Road Initiative.
A student representative, Tan Ru En, expressed appreciation to the donors, stating that their generosity strengthens the college’s research and teaching environment and inspires students to pursue academic excellence. During the ceremony, Academician Dai and Mr. Gao presented the donation cheque to Prof. Wang Ruifang, who awarded certificates and commemorative gifts on behalf of XMUM.
