UNESCO/IOC Regional Training and Research Center on Ocean Dynamics and Climate

Background

On May 11, 2010, the UNESCO/IOC Regional Training and Research Center on Ocean Dynamics and Climate (ODC) was officially established through the Agreement signed by the IOC of UNESCO and the host institute, the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO) of State Oceanic Administration (SOA) of China, at the Eighth Intergovernmental Session of UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC-VIII) in Bali, Indonesia. Per the Agreement, “the objectives of the Center shall be to enhance the regional research capacity and capability on ocean dynamics, air-sea interactions, climate change, and numerical modeling through, among others, provisions of regular training courses in English once a year to around 15-20 junior scientists and doctoral/master students mainly from the developing member states of IOC in the Western Pacific”.

On June 9, 2011, the UNESCO/IOC Regional Training and Research Center on Ocean Dynamics and Climate was inaugurated. Mr. Ci-gui Liu, Administrator of State Oceanic Administration, China, Dr. Mitrasen Bhikajee, Deputy Executive Secretary of UNESCO/IOC, Mr. Geng Xia, Mayor of Qingdao City, Mr. Lian-zeng Chen, Deputy Administrator of State Oceanic Administration, China, Mr. De-yi Ma, Director general of the First Institute of Oceanography, and 69 trainees from 10 countries took part in the inauguration ceremony. The first regional training course on ocean models was subsequently organized in the ODC center during June 10-16, 2011.

Vision

An open platform to explore ocean and climate sciences, a clearing house to share brilliant scientific ideas on ocean dynamics, air-sea interaction, climate change, and numerical modeling.

Mission

1. Provide regular training courses to junior scientists and graduate students;
2. Organize workshops on related topics to promote interactions between experts and students;
3. Create a laboratory and hands-on environment for testing ocean general circulation theories and models, and for developing state-of-art wave-tide-circulation coupled ocean model;
4. Exchange visiting scholars and graduate education.

Objectives

1. To develop ocean dynamics and climate change training programs;
2. To provide long-term and advanced training and educating on ocean dynamics, air-sea interaction, climate change, and numerical modeling;
3. To promote collaborations among experts within and outside the region on ocean dynamics, air-sea interaction, climate change, and numerical modeling.