Initiated and founded by Shanghai Maritime University, the Shanghai International Shipping Institute (SISI) is a gathering place of shipping-related enterprises, governments, industry organizations and research institutions. Through open operation, it has built up an interdisciplinary industry-university-research collaboration platform for SMU’s subject development. Availing themselves of this platform, numerous SMU teachers in different disciplines have established extensively contacts with the shipping industry and conducted a variety of academic consulting activities over 2-odd years since SISI’s establishment. They not only provide knowledge services for the industry but also play an active role in promoting the construction of Shanghai International Shipping Center.

Planned and established by Professor and President Wang Xiaofeng together with Professor Shen Kangchen of the Information Engineering College, SISI Shipping Information Technology Institute has completed the Report on Feasibility of China Shipping Database, and is now planning a large shipping information forum.

Relying on SISI Cruise Economy Institute, Cheng Juehao and Zhang Jing of the Economics and Management College strive to strengthen their cooperation with governments and enterprises, carrying out extensive research, consulting and planning related to the cruise economy.

Initiated by Gan Aiping of the Economics and Management College, SISI Shipping Finance Institute has held many influential seminars by gathering together Shanghai Finance Office, China Construction Bank, International Far Eastern Leasing Co., Ltd and other organizations. It is now planning to promote the development of Shanghai Shipping Finance.

Playing an active part in SISI, Shen Qiuming, Jia Binggui and other teachers of the School of Law established Shipping Policy and Law Institute through joint efforts with China Shipping (Group), engaging positively in legislative works of Shanghai International Shipping Center.

Sha Mei of the Transport College cooperated with the US experts to set up SISI Sino-US Shipping Economic Institute, so as to promote international cooperative research.

Almost all open institutes under SISI involve active participation of SMU teachers from different disciplines; they can enjoy sound working conditions and good service at SISI.

After two-odd years since its establishment, SISI has initially built up an open industry-university-research platform to connect the university with industries. As a link between the university’s relevant subjects and the shipping industry, it has become a new platform, demonstrating social service functions of the university.

In order to help young teachers improve actual working abilities, both in academic research and social service (especially for the construction of Shanghai International Shipping Center), SISI has recruited a total of 41 young teachers in two batches from Economic Management and other disciplines as part-time researchers. Some of them have been involved in the preparation of training materials for shipping brokers, research on consulting subjects, and the organization of professional meetings, etc.