 SEVEN teachers and students from the Ocean University of China launched their first round-the-world voyage today to promote Chinese culture. They will take the Peaceboat from Yokohama in Japan to more than 20 countries and regions. Chinese writer Bi Shumin initiated the activity and it was the first time Chinese university teachers and students had traveled around the world to promote China and Chinese culture. Bi traveled around the world on the Peaceboat several years ago. “In the 74 voyages around the world by the Peaceboat, there were only a few Chinese people. It is quite exciting that so many Chinese people could be on board the ship for the first time,” she said. The students and teachers were also excited about the trip. “Learning through travel is a new concept in teaching. Students will finish their studies on the boat through investigation and experience,” said Ouyang Xia, leader and teacher of the team. The team has made careful and detailed plans for the trip. There will be lectures on board and students from Qingdao will introduce China and Chinese culture to travelers on the ship. “We plan to introduce Beijing opera, folk songs and how to make Chinese knots,” said Gao Qing, one of the students. The Peaceboat was a non-government organization established in 1983, aiming to promote peace, environmental protection and voluntary work. Unlike other vessels, the Peaceboat is a traveling university, providing a platform for young people from around the world to observe the world and learn about ocean. The round-the-world learning program is a new learning method the university has undertaken to pilot education reform. Students in the program, including two men and four women, were selected through a series of competitions and they also received professional training before setting off. They would travel to Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Finland, Norway, Colombia, Panama and Mexico. (Wang Yuanyuan, Dong Zhen) | 