About
Centre of Excellence in Observational Oceanography
Opportunity status:
Centre of Excellence
Open until
Closed
Open until funds are fully allocated
Expected to open December 2024

The fourth phase of  the Nippon Foundation-Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (NF-POGO) Centre of Excellence in Observational Oceanography is hosted by the Ocean Frontier Institute in partnership with:

Course materials

Interdisciplinary and hands-on learning will cover:

  • Field training
  • Data management
  • Modelling and coding
  • English for oceanography
  • Innovation and entrepreneurship
  • Leadership
  • Science communication

Scholars will pursue an independent learning project nested in the topics of ocean carbon, eDNA or coastal resilience, while also gaining exposure to industry and local tech companies and exploring Canadian Indigenous history and ways of knowing.

Locations

Scholars will be based at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an excursion to the Hakai Institute on Quadra Island, British Columbia.

St. John's Newfoundland
Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Arial photo of downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia
Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Quadra Island
Hakai Institute
Quadra Island, British Columbia

The three institutions have complementary strengths that will each provide students with distinct opportunities to learn.

Network development

Given the centre’s international partnerships, graduating scholars can access valuable and deep networks within Canada and globally.

  • Dalhousie Alumni Network
    Connecting with a network that actively supports continued relationships and mentorship.
  • International Ocean Institute Canada
    Connecting with more than 700 notable alumni in over 100 countries, many of whom sit in high-level positions with government.
  • Global Ocean Observing System and the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System
    Building networks with those at the forefront of ocean observing internationally.
  • Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO) network of institutions and Nippon Foundation-POGO Alumni Network for the Ocean (NANO)
    Continued connection with past NF-POGO scholars, joining the network’s activities which include research projects, outreach and science communication. NANO members are also given opportunities to interact with the POGO network of member institutions, for example by attending POGO annual meetings and other relevant international conferences.

Capacity building

The Centre focuses on the development of skills to effectively share knowledge – becoming champions for ocean observation globally.

To further enhance the aim of this program, early career scholars are:

  • Provided with learning opportunities that directly relate to activities they can continue post program participation.
  • Supported to create an outreach activity as one of their deliverables for their home institution once the program is completed such as a guest lecture at their home institution or a media interview within their home country.