About the OceanTeacher Global Academy

The OceanTeacher Global Academy promotes active exchange of knowledge on diverse research disciplines for the marine and coastal environments to boost national capacities in ocean sciences around the globe. The fifth funding phase of OTGA under FUST was to transform the OTGA project into a training platform for all IOC programs. The OTGA project was carried out by IOC and ultimately aims to contribute to more sustainable development, better protection, and better management of marine and coastal environments. In doing so, it implemented the IOC Capacity Development Strategy 2015 – 2021, later extended to July 2023 by the IOC Assembly Decision (IOC-A-31/3.5.3), and now a 2030 UN ocean decade priority area. 

OTGA is now a fully upgraded and developed program under the IODE, funded by IOC/UNESCO, and effectively fulfilling the objectives of the FUST Trust Fund. It is a key mechanism in the implementation of the IOC Capacity Development Strategy, directly contributing to output one, helping individuals and institutions develop capacity, while also contributing to the other outputs through its training topics (e.g., ocean data or MSP) or network mechanisms.

Training centres and courses

The OTGA has developed a global network of training centres to boost national capacities in ocean sciences. With a total of 17 training centres around the world, both specialised (STCs) and regional (RTCs), the OTGA project has successfully delivered over 250 courses and has instructed over 15,000 learners from 130 IOC Member States (2015-2025). It is now fully upgraded and developed program of IODE funded by IOC/UNESCO fulfilling the aim of the of FUST trust funding.

The training course can be held face-to-face in a classroom setting, online using synchronous video conferencing, in a blended format (combining classroom and video conferencing), or as a self-paced course, all utilising the e-learning platform. The courses are administered in either English, French, Portuguese or Spanish covering topics such as data management, natural disaster forecasting, prevention of marine pollution, and international marine law, among other IOC program-related matters.

A significant achievement during the COVID-19 pandemic, was the continued running of the training activities. It rolled out 32 online courses attended by 3250 people in 2021, which allowed the e-learning platform to further improve its tools, making it more user-friendly and improving the distance learning experience.  

OTGA endorsed in the UN Ocean Decade

Through increased exchange of marine technology, ocean studies, and training activities around the world, the OTGA contributes to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The program helps build the scientific and institutional capacity needed for sustainable management of the ocean and marine resources by 2030 (SDG14). 

Aims and future of the UNESCO/IOC/IODE/OTGA Program Component

• To roll out new courses and keep attracting new learners, to spread information as widely as possible

• To keep developing the Training Centres network, especially the specialised training centres, which are topic-focused

• To keep developing the e-learning platform, to make it accessible to more people, and to make it the main teaching platform for all the IOC’s programmes.

• To enable equitable participation of all IOC member states and IOC programmes in decision-making for the future of our ocean