Applications are now open for LECTURER and STUDENT participation on the 2019 SEAmester-South Africa’ Class Afloat Programme.
The Department of Science and Technology requires platforms to “attract young researchers to the region and retain them by exciting their interest in aspects of global change”. SEAmester introduces marine science as an applied and cross-disciplinary field to students. Its long‐term vision is aimed at building capacity within the marine sciences by co‐ordinating cross‐disciplinary research projects through a highly innovative programme. The strength of SEAmester is that postgraduate students combine theoretical classroom learning with the application of this knowledge through ship-based and hands-on research. The state‐of‐the‐art research vessel, S.A. Agulhas II, provides the ideal teaching and research platform for SEAmester; its size, comfort and shipboard facilities allow large groups of students and lecturers to productively interact over a period of 10 days. The 2019 SEAmester Voyage will team up with SAEON’s ASCA (Agulhas System Climate Array) scientific programme on a 10 day voyage extending across the Agulhas Current.
“It seems almost yesterday that I approached the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) to consider funding a Floating University that would be open to all University and Technikon postgraduate students” says Associate Professor and Head of Oceanography Isabelle Ansorge “and here we are planning our third year”!
SEAmester aims to introduce marine science as an applied and cross-disciplinary field to students who have shown an affinity for these core science disciplines. It combines traditional class-room lectures with hands-on ship-based deck activities for the students, while providing them with opportunities to network with and support specialist scientists in recognised marine research activities. The programme strives to gain greater awareness of the oceans’ physical and ecological response to climate change. To date, since the first cruise in 2016 over 120 students from 23 universities and technikons around South Africa as well as over 54 lecturers have participated in SEAmester. As an example – the lectures range from space weather to ocean plastics to marine microbiology to ocean instrumentation. Going hand-in-hand with the lectures are specially designed experiments which are linked to the mornings classroom lecture – so for plastics the students then spend a few hours towing a net over the side, after a lecture on the seafloor we tow a dredge to see what comes up from over 400 m deep, students learn to count seabirds, study and forecast weather patterns and get to grips with calibrating oceanographic data.
What makes SEAmester so unique is that its open to any national postgraduate student. In the past access to the SA Agulhas II was only possible if your supervisor had a grant through the South African National Antarctic Programme – Naturally this was limited to only a few Universities who undertook polar research – so this meant that students studying mangrove swamps at the University of Zululand for instance would never have a chance to go onboard the SA Agulhas II – SEAmester removes those restrictions! The participating students come from a range of backgrounds and for majority of these students it is their first time out at sea – a truly life changing event! SEAmester is funded until 2020 but its hoped to become a flagship DST project in marine education.
The next cruise: 16 July – 27 July 2018 (click here for more information).
Professor Isabelle Ansorge and Tahlia Henry, Oceanography Department University of Cape Town, 02 July 2018
SEAmester VII dates are 24th June to 4th July 2024
SEAmester – South Africa’s Class Afloat aims to introduce marine science as an applied and cross- disciplinary field to students who have shown an interest in the core science disciplines. It combines traditional classroom lectures with hands-on ship-based deck activities; while providing them with an opportunity to support specialist scientists in recognised marine research activities. During the voyage, students will engage in classroom lectures, assignments, and hands-on research activities, covering topics such as physical oceanography, marine biology and environmental science. Learners will also work with sophisticated instrumentation, collect data and gain experience in data analysis and scientific research techniques. The research group comprises over 30 oceanographic, fisheries, biogeochemical and biological experts, who jointly have trained over 600 Southern African students onboard a wide variety of international and local research vessels.
The SEAmester programme is usually offered to 40 post-graduate students. With the introduction of Marine Sciences in the FET phase, the SEAmester team, led by Prof. Isabelle Ansorge from the University of Cape Town, has made available two spaces for high-school learners. These two learners will be selected through an objective process. The team invites full-time Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners to apply for and potentially be selected for this amazing opportunity.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
CLOSING DATE 19 APRIL 2024
To apply to be part of this amazing opportunity:
Applicants must be full-time in Grade 11 or Grade 12 in 2024.
Applicants must be doing Marine Sciences as school subject in Grade 11 or Grade 12.
Applicants must have a passion for marine sciences and an enthusiastic attitude .
Applicants must provide a 350 – 500, covering:
your understanding of the importance of marine science research on vessels such as the SA Agulhas II
a motivation as to why you should be selected to be part of SEAmester – South Africa’s class afloat, and what you hope to gain from this
be available to be on board the research ship from 24 June to 4 July 2024 (a valid passport would be required)
During the 6th Symposium sessions were allocated to cross cutting disciplines and it led to great presentations and discussions. After the governance session on the 2nd day of the symposium a few cross-cutting themes took place. This post focus on:
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT within SANAP
Prof Isabelle Ansorge of UCT and PI of SEAmester chaired the session on capacity development and she introduce the session with the presentations: “SEAmester 6 Voyages later.”
She outlined the strength of SEAmester is that it combines theoretical classroom learning with the application of this knowledge through ship-based, and more importantly, hands-on research through the Agulhas System Climate Array (ASCA) programme. During past voyages 241 students from 26 universities all over South Africa having participated in these cruises. The presentation showed how successful this programme has been, but also the challenges that have been faced. A few were showcased of what has become of some of the SEAmester students. Isabelle’s presentation was followed by two SEAmester students. Themba Mbalati(above left) a SEAmester student gave a presentation on:” The perceptions of participants on the impact of South Africa’s Class Afloat Program (SEAmester) and its links with travel and tourism.”
Rudzani Silima, the top student for SEAmester in 2019 gave a presentation on the Antarctic Youth Coalition. Rudzi become part of this coalition when she has been nominated the top student. She outlined the aim and mission of the AYC and the importance of attracting new members and challenge the Gateway cities into practicing sustainability, using the model of Antarctic governance for instance, cooperation, diplomacy, science and best of all collaboration between countries to meet a sustainable end.
Sandy Thomalla of SOCCO concluded the session with the presentation:” The SOCCO Trajectory – A brief synopsis of our origin, emergence and strategic direction”. The presentation gave the impact of SOCCO that continues to make a growing contribution to our understanding of the role that fine-scale dynamics play in shaping the phasing and magnitudes of the seasonal cycle and its inter-annual variability. Phase IV will bring the Ocean Climate science to the south African society.
Please see more posts on Cross-Cutting themes such as infrastructures and data management on the SANAP website!
LEARNER (FET) APPLICATION FORM
SEAmester – South Africa’s Class Afloat aims to introduce marine science as an applied and cross- disciplinary field to students who have shown an interest in the core science disciplines. It combines traditional classroom lectures with hands-on ship-based deck activities; while providing them with an opportunity to support specialist scientists in recognised marine research activities. During the voyage, students will engage in classroom lectures, assignments, and hands-on research activities, covering topics such as physical oceanography, marine biology and environmental science. Learners will also work with sophisticated instrumentation, collect data and gain experience in data analysis and scientific research techniques. The research group comprises over 30 oceanographic, fisheries, biogeochemical and biological experts, who jointly have trained over 600 Southern African students onboard a wide variety of international and local research vessels.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Prof Isabelle Ansorge of UCT and PI of 
She outlined the strength of SEAmester is that it combines theoretical classroom learning with the application of this knowledge through ship-based, and more importantly, hands-on research through the Agulhas System Climate Array (ASCA) programme. During past voyages 241 students from 26 universities all over South Africa having participated in these cruises. The presentation showed how successful this programme has been, but also the challenges that have been faced. A few were showcased of what has become of some of the 
Rudzani Silima, the top student for SEAmester in 2019 gave a 
Sandy Thomalla of 
