To develop and offer programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in order to support the development of the ocean economy in the country and to undertake research in this sector in order to support development of innovative approaches and products.
The overall aim of the project is to provide the man power required to support existing and upcoming areas of developments to support the vision of the Government to making the ocean economy the next economic pillar of the country. The project aims at providing training and conducting research in a number of fields such as Fisheries & Aquaculture, Seafood Processing, Marine Trade and Finance, Marine Engineering and Shipping, amongst others.
The following gives the specific objective of each component of the project:
Component 1: Training
The objective of this component is to develop training in several areas that will support developments in the ocean economy sectors. The fields of study will be in line with the developments ongoing in the sector. The training will be offered at several levels; Diploma/Degree/Masters and even up to PhD and also as lifelong learning programmes, in the form of short professional development courses. The training programmes are targeted to both the semi-skilled, skilled and full skilled workforce. Based upon our experience, we expect to train at least 15 professionals every year.
Component 2: Research
Research will be an integral part of the capacity building process. Research will be undertaken as part of the full-fledged programmes and also as more in-depth research studies. The focus will be on research for, improving our understanding on the performance of coastal and marine ecosystems; providing solutions to address the impacts of climate change on this fragile ecosystems; promoting innovative ideas; for promoting ideas which can be turned into a product, for promoting new ways of doing business (Aquaponics) to promote alternative livelihoods and for supporting decision making in the field of ocean economy
Implementation methodologies
Capacity building and research form part of the core mandate of the University and as the oldest university we have always responded to the needs of the country and supported economic sectors for the country. For this emerging ocean economy, we plan to work in close collaboration with stakeholders to identify training needs at different levels.
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
Type of commitment
NUTRIENTS
- Other (please specify): Training the champions who will ensure minumum disturbances to the marine environment.
PLASTICS
- Other (please specify): Training the champions who will ensure minumum disturbances to the marine environment.
SHIPPING
- Other (please specify): Training the champions who will ensure minumum disturbances to the marine environment.
OTHER POLLUTANTS (please specify)
- Other (please specify): Training the champions who will ensure minumum disturbances to the marine environment.
Quantification
- Training of at least 15 graduates every year starting July 2019 .
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Type of commitment
- Other (please specify): Training the champions who will ensure minumum disturbances to the marine environment.
Quantification
- Training of at least 15 graduates every year starting July 2019 .
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
Type of commitment
- Scientific research and cooperation to address ocean acidification knowledge gaps
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
Type of commitment
- Other (please specify): Develop Programmes related to Fisheries, Aquaculture and Seafood Processing to build the workforce that will be needed to support sustainable development in the sector.
Quantification
- Training of at least 15 graduates every year starting July 2019 .
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Type of commitment
- Other : Promote research in these areas
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Type of commitment
- Scientific, socioeconomic and interdisciplinary research
- Research capacity development
- Training and professional development
- Scientific cooperation
- Transfer marine technology
- Actions that support SIDS and LDCs
- Other (please specify): Develop new programmes
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
Type of commitment
- Other (please specify): Promote the Programme MSc Ocean Economy & Entrepreneurship at national level
July 2019
BSc(Hons) Geomatics (3years Full Time Programme) - First batch of Graduates
July 2019 & July2020
BSc(Hons) Marine Environmental Sciences (3years Full time Programme) - First Batch of Graduates & Second batch of Graduates respectively
July 2021
BSc(Hons) Marine Technologies (3Years Full Time Programme) - First batch of Graduates
September 2017
MSc Coastal and Ocean Management (2 years Part Time Programme) - Postgraduate batch
Financing (in USD)
50,000 USD
Staff / Technical expertise
Academics specialised in Marine Science, IT, Coastal Resource Management and in Marine Technologies
In-kind contribution
Delivery of these programmes to address new areas of the ocean economy will involve much input in networking and in securing the student's visibility at national level, and this will be achieved through securing work placement for the students.
Other, please specify
The collaboration of key stakedholders in the servicing of modules on a part time basis and in supporting research of staff and students will be encouraged.
