Twelve transition students from all over the country set sail from Cork this morning (October 13th) on a half-day training mission aboard the national research vessel RV Celtic Voyager. The mission, entitled “Voyage of Discovery” is part of a joint initiative—the Integrated Marine Exploration Programme (IMEP)—between the Marine Institute, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the national Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation (SSTI).
While at sea, the students were trained in the use of ocean mapping systems, water sampling gear, scientific fishing techniques and methods of sampling the seabed for ecological and environmental studies. They were also given a tour of the ship and detailed briefings on safety and sea survival. Similar missions will take place tomorrow (14th October).
“I think all of us in the Marine Institute can remember the moment when we made our minds up to pursue a career in marine science,” said Dr Pauhla McGrane, co-ordinator of the IMEP. “Hopefully today and tomorrow, at least one of the transition year students we have aboard will make that choice and go on to be one of the Jacques (or Jacqueline) Cousteaus of the future.”
Funding for the shiptime component of the IMEP was launched in March of this year by the then Ministers of Education and Science Mary Hanafin TD and Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan TD. The IMEP supports training courses and integrated research surveys aboard the national research vessels Celtic Explorer and Celtic Voyager, giving Irish students and researchers significantly more time at sea. The initiative is supported under the Infrastructure Support Measure of Sea Change – A Marine Knowledge, Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007-2013. Its primary aim is to increase Ireland’s research capacity in marine science and supports the overall government strategy for promoting the education of science in schools under the SSTI.
The Marine Institute is the national agency responsible for marine research, technology, development and innovation. The Higher Education Authority is the independent statutory body charged with advising Government on higher education policy and for funding our universities and third level colleges.
Full details of future missions on the Integrated Maritime Exploration Programme can be obtained from the Marine Institute’s web site at www.marine.ie.
ENDS
For further details, contact
John Joyce, Communications Manager, Marine Institute
Tel: 087 2250871
Notes to Editor
The training component of the Integrated Marine Exploration programme also includes:
- Advanced training in oceanography for NUI Galway and Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology students at final year and early postgraduate level, as well as basic undergraduate training in oceanography and fisheries sampling at sea.
- Basic familiarisation with ships at sea for students of the National Maritime College of Ireland at Cork.
- Student training in Dublin Bay for students of Trinity College, Dublin.
- Training in the sampling of bottom dwelling (benthic) animals for students of Queen’s University of Belfast.
- Integrated Marine training for the next generation of marine scientists from the University of Ulster.
Marine Science Education in Ireland
There are currently 10 undergraduate courses in marine science taking place across six higher education institutions on the island of Ireland. Five of these are specifically marine, while the others have a substantial marine component.
In addition, nine taught postgraduate courses being run across five higher education institutions – five which are specifically marine and four with a substantial marine component.
Over 150 PhD students registered across 12 higher education institutions in 2007. This number is expected to rise substantially in coming years.