University of Porto receives UNESCO Chair in Oceanography – Observer

University of Porto . received The first UNESCO Chair dedicated to oceanographywhich will focus on research as well as advanced and lifelong training in ocean literacy, was unveiled Wednesday.

Speaking to Lusa Agency, Laura Guimarães, researcher who will coordinate the Ocean Expert Chair – Science Education for Children for Ocean Stewardship: In Support of a Sustainable Ocean Economy, explained The goal is to promote “Ocean Investigation and Ocean Education”but also ‘advanced training’ and ‘lifelong training’, specifically for primary and secondary school teachers.

“This chair has a strong component linked to ocean literacy,” said the researcher from the Interdisciplinary Center for Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR) at the University of Porto, stressing that it is necessary to “understand the importance of the ocean, which is the basis for the sustainability of life on Earth.”

Given this “special” mission, since it is dedicated to oceanography and education for the oceans and their sustainability, the researcher said it was necessary

“We have to be able to take advantage of these resources while preserving them for future generations, but we also have to understand our impact on that same ocean” (FCUP) said Laura Guimarães, who is also a professor in the Faculty of Science at the University of Porto.

On the day marking International Oceans Day, Laura Guimarães noted that Portugal is the country with “the largest exclusive economic zone in the European Union with the recent expansion of the continental shelf” and that the blue economy “increasingly contributes more to GDP, highlighting the need for” More professions related to the sea.

Among the various objectives, the UNESCO Chair “Ocean Experts” aims to Establishing a network of cooperation with the countries of the southern hemisphere“Acting as a liaison between governments, companies and NGOs” in the field of ocean science.

Awarded at the request of researchers from CIIMAR, who will be the implementing institution of the project, the chair also has the support of the Ministry of the Sea, the Ministry of Fisheries and the Sea of ​​Angola, the Port Management of Douro, Leixões and Viana do Castelo (APDL), the Vila Nova de Gaia City Council and the Council of Vila do Conde City, Viana do Castelo City Council, Angra do Heroísmo City Council (Azores), Public Library and Regional Archives (Azores).

At the academic level, the chair also has several partnerships such as FCUP, Faculty of Arts, University of Porto (FLUP), Higher Institute of Engineering of Porto (ISEP), Institute of Systems, Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC), Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (FCUL) and the Directorate General Maritime Policy.

At the same time, entities in the field of science education, such as Casa das Ciências, the National Network of UNESCO Associated Schools and YScience, are also partners.

This is the third chair awarded by UNESCO to the University of PortoUNESCO has already awarded 15 Chairs to National Institutions.