AU fisheries department reels in student exchange

The government of China is searching across the globe for the 100 best educational programs to partner with its universities. It found one at Auburn University.

Auburn’s department of fisheries and allied aquaculture has entered into a five-year agreement with Ocean University, home of China’s most prestigious fisheries program.

“It really does make us feel good to be selected from another university like this,” said Department Head Dr. David Rouse.

Auburn did not solicit such recognition. The Chinese government is investing heavily in ways to improve its educational system. By matching 100 Chinese universities that are tops in select disciplines with the best universities in the world in those disciplines, the Chinese believe they can improve the country’s economic and cultural development.

But Rouse is certain Auburn, and even Alabama, will benefit from the arrangement as well. He said the fisheries department has been working in international development of other fisheries programs for years, but this is much better.

“I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for the Chinese students to study here and for us to exchange with them,” he said. “I expect even more ‘cream of the crop’ (students) from China. And we get good students in our program at their expense.”

Each Chinese university with the prestigious designation receives funding from the country’s government to send graduate students and faculty members to the top university in the world in the selected discipline. Ocean University will send 10 scholars each year for five years for fisheries study at Auburn.

“For a country as big as China is and for the problems they have with fisheries and water and air quality, it’s really an honor to help them,” Rouse said.

Ocean University received national recognition for its work involving fish, shrimp, shellfish and similar species. Auburn’s known for its research in catfish and freshwater species. Other universities across China have or will be chosen for fields of study ranging from business and engineering to the liberal arts.

The first 10 Chinese students will be selected by fisheries faculty from both institutions and will arrive at AU in the fall. While some will be in fisheries, Rouse said others will be in agricultural economics and poultry science.  To kick off the program, Ocean University will host AU fisheries faculty in May for meetings with faculty at the Chinese campus.