OceanTeacher Global Academy

The Coastal Ocean Environment School in Western Indian Ocean (COES-WIO) in Kenya is thrilled to open applications for its inaugural program. Modelled after the successful Coastal Ocean Environment Summer School in Nigeria and Ghana (COESSING; https://coessing.org/), which has fostered oceanography skills and capacity across West Africa since 2015, COES-WIO offers a transformative learning experience in ocean science.

The program includes an immersive, in-person week from 21st to 27th September 2025 in Mombasa, Kenya, where participants will engage in hands-on activities, including fieldwork, laboratory analysis, data interpretation, and presentations. This experience is designed to enhance practical skills, connect with experts, and build networks that support continued growth and international collaboration in ocean sciences. Participants will have the opportunity to learn advanced ocean-related practices and global frameworks, important tools to advance capacity in research, management, and services.

The training is developed as a pre-activity of the 13th Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association Symposium, and is organized in the context of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The school will gather 75 international young professionals from the WIO region.

Venue: Mombasa, Kenya

The training will take place at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) with some sessions hosted at Pwani University and Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI).

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the learners are expected to:

• Be familiar with field surveys and experimental techniques within the different project tracks.
• Understand how to use different equipment for physical and biological data collection within the different project tracks.
• Be familiar with processes involved in the different project tracks including fish handling, postharvest processes, marine plastics and laboratory sample processes. 
• Develop reports to communicate the scientific concepts learnt in the various project tracks.

Course contents

• Small Scale Fisheries & Postharvest losses, Mariculture potential in the WIO
• Climate change - Beach Erosion & Coastal Processes
• Physical and Chemical Oceanography
• Marine Plastics & Pollution
• Ecological Survey Techniques and Data Management

Target audience

Students (Bachelors, masters, PhD), early-career researchers, and professionals in marine science and oceanography-related fields, including sectoral stakeholders from the WIO region.

Language of instruction: English

Moderators and Instructors

• Cosmas Munga, TUM
• Ali Maarifa, PU
• Brian Arbic, U-Michigan
• Janae' Collier, U-Michigan
• Eben Nyadjro, Mississippi State University
• Richmond Q., Plastic Punch, Ghana
• John Walter, UNILAG
• Audrey Delpech, CNRS France
• Chenzhu (William) Xu, Oregon State University
• Peter Knoop, U-Michigan
• Tracey Schafer, U-Michigan
• Gabriel Akoko Juma, Alfred Wegener Institute
• Joseph Tunje, PU
• Francis Mutuku, TUM
• Saeed Mwaguni, TUM
• David Mirera, KMFRI
• John Mbugani, UDOM
• Clara Rivers, U-Copenhagen
• Anthony Nzioka, KMFRI
• Peter Odote, KMFRI-Associate
• Frank Mirobo, UDOM
• Nimit Kumar
• Ritabrata Thakur, IIT New Delhi

Organizers

The training is organized by the University of Michigan (UoM), USA in collaboration with Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), Pwani University (PU), and Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI). 

Activities were made possible with additional support of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, BlueCaD Project – Early Career Ocean Professionals Programme, Western Indian Ocean Early Career Scientists Network (WIO-ECSN), and UNESCO IOC OceanTeacher Global Academy and Ocean Decade Capacity Development Facility.

Course duration and format:

Learner Assessment and Certificate

The certificate will be issued after the completion and full attendance of the activities in the respective project tracks, including successfully completing the group presentations.

Note: submitting the course feedback survey is mandatory to obtain the course certificate.

Pre-requisites and requirements

To complete this course, you should have access to:

• A laptop from which the students can perform tasks and join the synchronous sessions (you will be required to carry your laptop to the training site).
• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari web browsers
• Linux (preferably Ubuntu 16.04 or above)
• Access to the Internet for online sessions
• Availability to travel and take part in the 1-week onsite course in Malta

Prior to the course, the learners will be required to:

1. Register and familiarize yourself with the OTGA platform.
2. Download and install R and other software that will be communicated.
3. Download the datasets that will be uploaded on the OTGA platform
4. Do a self-introduction on the OTGA platform and highlight their expectations
5. Read the course materials notes that will be prepared by the lecturers.
6. Confirm their availability for the in-person training in Malta

How to apply

This course has a limited number of participants. 

UNESCO is committed to promoting equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Selection criteria

Contacts

• Course Coordinators: Gabriel Juma gabriel.akoko.juma@awi.de and Cosmas Munga ckamunga2014@tum.ac.ke  
• OTGA Secretariat: ioc.training@unesco.org

Costs

This training has no tuition fees.

course summary 

rise is one of the most pressing challenges facing coastal communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure around the world. Understanding the risks, causes, and impacts of rising sea levels and the consequences on coastal regions is pivotal to design effective adaptation strategies and policies to enhance climate resilience. 

the driving physical processes—such as ocean thermal expansion, polar ice melt, glacial retreat, and atmospheric dynamics—as well as the human and ecological impacts – such as increased coastal flooding, saltwater intrusion, habitat loss, and displacement of communities.

tools like flood modelling      and vulnerability mapping.

Understand of the physical processes driving SLR risks

Asses regional vulnerabilities and coastal risks

(provide EXAMPLES) for planning and decision-making

, industry and high level education institutions

The Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) is the most comprehensive gateway to the world’s ocean biodiversity and biogeographic data and information. OBIS provides open access to this quality-controlled data that adhere to biodiversity standards (Darwin Core, EML). This course is a continuation of the Contributing and publishing datasets to OBIS (self-paced), which remained open only for staff and collaborators of OBIS Nodes (under invitation of OBIS Secretariat).

The aim of this course is to teach the step-by-step basics for how to format and publish datasets according to these standards to contribute to OBIS, and adopt best practices in the management of marine life data. This training course is self-guided and designed to teach learners how to structure datasets to contribute to OBIS. The course will guide users step-by-step through the OBIS data life cycle, including: identifying an appropriate data structure, applying Darwin Core Archive formatting, conducting quality control steps, publishing data, and accessing data from OBIS. 

This course is an updated version - 2025/2026.

Participation in this course is restricted to staff and collaborators in OBIS Nodes, invited by OBIS Secretariat, open initially from 15 December 2025 to 15 December 2026. 

https://oceanexpert.org/event/4930

Watch the video below for a brief overview and introduction by the course instructor, Elizabeth Lawrence.

Learning goals

• Describe the OBIS data life cycle
• Restructure a flat dataset into a Darwin Core-Archive format, following OBIS best practices
• Identify appropriate Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG) vocabulary for your dataset
• Interpret and resolve quality control flags
• Publish data and metadata on an IPT
• Obtain OBIS data from the Mapper tool, R, API

Target audience 

Participation in this course is restricted to staff and collaborators in OBIS Nodes, invited by OBIS Secretariat, open initially from 15 December 2025 to 15 December 2026.

Course content

The course is divided into the following Modules:

Module 1. Introduction to data publishing and Darwin Core

Module 2. Introduction to data formatting

Module 3. Formatting data tables

Module 4. DNA Derived Data

Module 5. Controlled Vocabulary

Module 6. Conducting Quality Control

Module 7. Publishing your Data

Module 8. Accessing Data from OBIS

These modules will cover: 

• Darwin Core standards (Relational databases, Core and Extension tables)
• Formatting data to publish in OBIS (Creating Event, Occurrence, and ExtendedMeasurementOrFact tables; Mapping standardized vocabulary; Using World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) Taxon Match tool; Understand how to compile genetic, acoustic, habitat, imaging, and/or tracking data for OBIS)
• Conducting quality control (Dealing with uncertain data fields e.g. temporal, spatial, taxonomic; Troubleshooting difficult data types or missing data)
• Publishing data (Filling metadata; Using, publishing, and updating datasets on IPT)
• Accessing and downloading data from OBIS (Full data exports, R, API; Using Mapper tool to subset data) 

Duration

This is a 32-hour self-paced online course (asynchronously), open continuously from 15 December 2025 to 31 December 2026.

Lead Instructor

• Dr. Elizabeth Lawrence (OBIS training officer)

Other course contributors

• Carolina Peralta Brichtova
• Ruben Perez Perez
• Pieter Provoost
• Saara Suominen
• Leen Vandepitte
• Marcos Zárate

Given the development of new tools in studying the ocean in more detail and on larger scales, early-career ocean professionals, students and other oceanographers need programming skills for effective data management and analysis.  This course serves as an introduction to the Python programming language and software environment, enabling participants to process, analyze and visualize data more robustly. It is specially designed for early career ocean professionals who are beginners in Python programming, and who aim to explore different ocean datasets in their research. The training will utilize relevant oceanographic datasets, including physical, chemical and biological data, as well as fisheries datasets. This approach makes it easier to relate to, understand and apply concepts covered in the course.

Details: https://oceanexpert.org/event/4054

Summary

Be able to describe QA and QC processes their ocean data have been through in metadata shared with global data ocean data systems

Understand issues in QC of ocean data from a range of thematic areas and be able to perform basic QC of these data

Actions

advised

Learning will be measured through short assessments and quizzes

Evaluation/Certificate: 

Certificate will be issued, the criteria is to complete all lessons in each Module of the course and complete all quizzes (70% minimum score for each quiz)

Complete final course feedback survey

Technology requirements: 

●      Computer with Windows or Mac operating system

Pre-requisites: advisable: take the Ocean Data Management course (see www.oceanteacher.org) - available till 31st October 2025

Application process:

Please apply through this LINK. Apply before 15 September 2025 (23:59 CEST)

number of participants admitted: 40 people 

costs: no cost 

For any questions please contact the OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org) always using the name of the course as email subject.

There are no tuition fees. 

UNESCO is committed to promote equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Feedback survey

At the end of the course, you will be asked to fill out a feedback survey. This information will be used to improve future courses.

Fishing vessel traffic data derived from Automatic Identification System (AIS) has become an essential component for building fisheries intelligence.  Enforce and related fisheries management strategies rely on such information to curb illegal fishing, plan and implement policies for the sustainability of marine living resources. 

Fisheries managers and enforcers require specialized skills to processes the large volume of positional, navigational and voyage related information embedded in AIS data.  Open-source programming software such as Python has lots of third-party modules for building packages and functions.  This makes Python an asset for the creation of customized data processing, analyses and visualization to support in making informed decisions in the management of natural resources.   

This training course will provide participants an understanding of the movement of fishing vessels and skills in processing AIS data.

: Data manipulation and analysis

Target audience and prerequisites

This course is designed for researchers, fisheries officers, students, and Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) actively engaged in fisheries management, maritime security, and coastal conservation in Africa.

Language: English

Instructors

Dr. Kwame Adu Agyekum (Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana)

Mr. Ignatius Kweku Williams (GMES and Africa project, University of Ghana)

Mr. Daniel Quarshie (GMES and Africa project, University of Ghana)

Course format and duration

This course will be held online and includes synchronous sessions, for which attendance is mandatory. These sessions are scheduled for:  9 – 13 July 2025 11:00 -13:00 UTC / GMT Daily.

The estimated duration of this course is 20 hours (10 hours of synchronous classes and 10 hours of asynchronous activities). 

Organizers

RTC Ghana

MarCNoWA: GMES & Africa Project

IOCAFRICA - Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO Sub-Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States

Learner assessment

Assignments (e.g, written and data exercises) and multiple-choice quizzes.

Certificate

OTGA Certificate will be awarded to the participants upon completion of assignments (pass mark: 70%) and 60% attendance at the synchronous sessions.

Technology requirements, computer skills, and pre-requisites

• Computer with Windows or Mac OS
• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari web browsers
• JavaScript and cookies enabled
• Broadband internet access (minimum bandwidth of 0.5 Mbps (Receive and Send)
• Speakers or headphones, and microphone

You should be proficient in the following:

Application and selection of participants.

A limited number of seats (approximately 25) are available. Please fill out the online application form available in this LINK:  

The applications start on 10 June 2025. The deadline to submit the application is 25 June 2025 (23:59 CET: Central European Time).

Participants will be selected based on the fit to the target audience, motivation statement, and professional background/qualification. 

Costs: This is an online course with no tuition fees.

Contacts

For any questions, please contact OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org) or the course coordinator Ignatius Kweku Williams (kwilliams@ugedugh.onmicrosoft.com) always using the name of the course as e-mail subject.

Feedback survey

At the end of the course, you will be asked to fill out a feedback survey. This information will be used to improve future courses.

Cancellation policy

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.

In this context, this blended training aims to provide participants with a comprehensive theoretical understanding of environmental DNA (eDNA) and its applications in environmental sciences. It will cover all relevant aspects from eDNA sampling, laboratory and bioinformatic analysis, data analysis of results and possible application. The participants will learn about the origins of eDNA, how it enters the environment, and its significance in measuring biodiversity. The training will give an overview of eDNA, including its definition and different ecosystems where it can be studied with a specific focus on marine ecosystems.

Venue

University of Ghana

General Learning Goals

By the end of the course, the participants are expected to have:

• Increased understanding of the eDNA technology and its practical application.
• Enhanced skills in the collection and preservation of eDNA samples.
• Practical knowledge and skills in the extraction of eDNA samples. 
• Insights on the analysis of eDNA data, and use of bioinformatics tools. 
• Knowledge of utilization of eDNA technique in assessing marine biodiversity and monitoring ecosystems.

This course includes an online preparation component where participants will learn how to:

1. Explain what eDNA is, its sources, and its ecological significance.
2. Describe workflows for eDNA sampling, preservation, laboratory analysis, and bioinformatics.
3. Identify key challenges, limitations, and good practices in eDNA studies.
4. Understand quality control (QC), data stewardship, and ethical considerations in eDNA research.
5. Recognise how eDNA data can inform policy, conservation, and ecosystem monitoring in Africa’s marine environments.

Target audience

The training is focused on ocean practitioners from West and North African countries, including Early Ocean Career Professionals (ECOPs) and mid-career ocean scientists interested in and needing to use eDNA in their scientific or technical work.

Pre-requisites

Participants must:

• Have prior knowledge of marine biodiversity sampling and monitoring.

• Bring their laptop.

• A working knowledge of English.

• Applicants must be from West or North Africa.

Course content

Module 1: Foundations of Environmental DNA (eDNA) Science

Module 2: eDNA-Omics and Their Applications

Module 3: eDNA Workflows and Practical Considerations

Module 4: eDNA Bioinformatics Analysis

Module 5: Data Interpretation, Bias, and Policy Relevance

All these theoretical modules will be complemented by targeted hands-on activities for 1 week, face-to-face training in Ghana.

Language of instruction: English

Course Duration, Synchronous Sessions, and Format

The course will take place face-to-face between 3 to 7 November, 2025, with a duration of approximately 40 hours.

The course has an online learning component to be completed before the onsite classes of approximately 12h.

Participants will be required to:

• Complete online self-paced learning activities before the onsite classes.
• Familiarize themselves with the documentation and methods shared by the group previously.

Instructors

Edem Mahu

Sammy Wambua

Angela Ayiku

Phyllis Amamoo

Organizers

Collaboration and teamwork are central, and the training concludes with a certificate ceremony recognizing participants' achievements.

Who is it for?

The course is designed for approximately 60 upper secondary students and 14 science teachers from participating European Schools. The teachers will follow the trainer pathway, enabling them to implement Erasmus Maris activities with their students after the course. Two facilitators from Wings of the Ocean will also follow the trainer pathway to support future implementation in France.

Venue