NF-POGO Centre of Excellence Year 2 Report

1. NF – POGO GoalsThe NF supports a wide range of activities, both at home and abroad, in the fields of ships andthe oceans, public welfare and volunteerism, support of the basic human needs, the arts, sports,education and network building. The long-term objective of POGO is to participate in thecreation and operation of an integrated global ocean observing strategy, addressing informationneeds of decision-makers, researchers, service providers, and the general public.2.1 NF – POGO Centre of Excellence: Goals and ObjectivesNF – POGO established The Centre of Excellence in Observational Oceanography (hereafterreferred to as the CofE) to benefit the oceanographic community in regions or countries whereocean science is less advanced. The goals of the CofE are to expand the world-wide capacity toobserve the oceans; to develop human resources in developing countries, and to expandinternational networking in ocean sciences, with an emphasis on training young scientists fromdeveloping countries. The specific objectives are:1. To create a self-sustaining CofE in an established multidisciplinary oceanographic centrethat will promote and facilitate development of human resources in oceanography withindeveloping countries.2. To facilitate continuing education and further development of former trainees of theNippon Foundation – POGO Visiting Professorship Programme.3. To help form effective networks between trainees and professors of the existing NipponFoundation – Visiting Professorship Programme, and the new students who will betrained at the CofE.4. To facilitate and assist with regional training programmes in developing countries.The CofE is seen as the beginning of a long-term, sustained effort at capacity building inobservational oceanography in the southern hemisphere as well as in portions of the northernhemisphere where oceans are rimmed by developing nations. The activities of the trainees willbe monitored for some years after the completion of the course. It is also anticipated that thestrongest participants will have further opportunities for advanced training and scientificexchange with POGO member institutions in other locations around the world. It is expectedthat the legacy of the course will endure far into the future.2.2 Scholars2.2.1 Eligibility and ProspectsThe CofE was open to 10 Scholars from developing countries. Trainees must have at least a firstdegree in science. Preference was given to applicants who currently hold a position in a researchor academic institution in a developing country and anticipate returning to the country aftercompletion of training at the NF-POCO CofE. Candidates had to demonstrate immediaterelevance of their training to on-going or planned ocean observations in their home country.2.2.2 Scholar ReviewEach student was asked to submit a completed application form (Appendix 1), a resume, threeletters of recommendation, and copies of transcripts and/or certificates. Complete applicationswere combined and collated for review.3