News from members A New Bachelor’s degree programme for Marine and Climate Science – at University of Kara, Togo Dr. Wilfried Essowè Panassa Direc�on of Mari�me Affairs, University of Kara, Togo Alumnus profile: h�p://nf-pogo-alumni.org/profile/epanass/
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he bachelor’s degree programme in oceanography and applica�ons at the University of Kara is an ini�a�ve of oceanographers from Togo, led by me. It is implemented through the Ministry of the Mari�me Economy, of Fishing and Coastal Protec�on, and the University of Kara with the collabora�on of lecturers from interna�onal ins�tu�ons and universi�es such as Alfred Wegener Ins�tute (AWI), Laboratoire d'Océanographie et du Climat Expérimenta�ons et Approches Numériques (LOCEAN), Université Paul Saba�er (UPS), Laboratoire d'Etudes en Géophysique et Océanographie Spa�ales (LEGOS). This project fits within the United Na�on’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 (Climate Ac�on) & 14 (Life Below Water) with the main objec�ve to train senior technicians in marine science to meet the needs of society related to coastal erosion, marine pollu�on, fisheries resources, etc. A maximum of 25 students selected from Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries are trained each year. This bachelor's degree programme consists of six semesters organized to cover seven modules. The first five semesters are dedicated to courses related to marine sciences, oceanography and meteorology, policy of coastal and marine management, training on ocean observa�on, data analyses and sta�s�cs applied to climate data, modelling fish stocks related to changes in environmental variables, marine aquaculture and mari�me and portuary administra�on. The final semester is reserved for independent projects conducted at the competence centers. A�er comple�on of this training, the senior technicians in marine science will be able to perform the following tasks: �Process and interpret meteorological-ocean data, map, visualize or simulate experimental data or processes through to the mastery of so�ware and sta�s�cal tools; �Help in decision-making by public and private administra�ons working in the mari�me field; �Par�cipate in the control and surveillance missions of mari�me/river-lagoon fisheries and coastal zone protec�on works (sea & li�oral); �Par�cipate in se�ng up projects related to the protec�on of the marine environment, marine and/or lagoon aquaculture (in connec�on with climate change) as well as their monitoring and implementa�on. �Measure physico-chemical parameters of seawater in carrying out studies on marine pollu�on / also in freshwater river-lagoon systems. With the skills listed above, the senior technicians in marine science will be able to work in mari�me/environmental ins�tu�ons, consultancies that deal with environmental issues, NGOs, data analysis, tourism, mari�me research in universi�es/training ins�tu�ons, other professions related to the sea or create their own project (entrepreneurship). They will be able to provide technical support in the implementa�on of our blue economy through the sustainable u�liza�on of ocean resources with technological inputs to improve livelihoods. They can also pursue their master's programmes in Benin and Cab Verde in the west African region and con�nue later with a PhD degree. We are currently looking for partners to support (materials or financial) us in this ini�a�ve. Please feel free to contact me at panassaessowe@gmail.com for further informa�on on this training.
Contact us: info@nf-pogo-alumni.org NANO website: www.nf-pogo-alumni.org
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