Course description

This training course will focus on raising the awareness for the need for Quality Assurance and Quality Control on Marine Ecosystem-based Management. Participants will be introduced to up-to-date best practices and standards as well as the quality assurance and quality control on marine ecosystem observation, and marine instrument measurement testing, specifically on the four important sectors of the whole process of QA and QC, namely sensors, laboratory, data processing, and product application. The course will use case studies relevant for the Western Pacific.

Learning outcomes  

By the end of the course the participants should be able to:

• have a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem observation, specifically considering aspects focusing on blue carbon;
• explain the role of standardization towards facilitating technology transfer and work efficiency;
• explain the benefits of international standards and best practices and facilitate its adoption and implementation at Regional level;
• explain the workflow from sensor to data and apply the different methods for in-situ and laboratory processing as well as data processing.
• Apply the different the methods for sensors calibration, inter-comparison and data management.

Target audience

Target audiences include, but are not limited to, the following:

• researchers and management staff on marine ecological observation from the Western Pacific region.

Course content (Topics and activities to be covered)

1. Development of marine ecosystem observation and measurement technology of carbon sink (day 1)
2. Standards and best practices of marine ecosystem observation (day 2)
3. Quality assurance and quality control on marine ecosystem observation standard reference (day 3)
4. Sensor calibration (day 4)
5. Data quality control and data application (day 5)

Instructors/Trainer

• CHEN Yining, Second Institute Of Oceanography
• Guo Xianghui, Xiamen University
• Zeng Jiangning, Second Institute Of Oceanography
• Zhang Zhiwei, First Institute Of Oceanography
• Xu Zijun, North China Sea Environmental Monitoring Center
• Zhang Jihong, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute
• XUE Suyan, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute
• Yang Lien, Jiangsu Marine Fisheries Research Institute
• SHI Chaoying, National Center of Ocean Standards and Metrology
• ZHAO Zhuoying, National Center of Ocean Standards and Metrology
• YU Xiaoyan, National Center of Ocean Standards and Metrology
• Teng Xin, National Ocean Technology Center
• LU Wenhai, National Marine Data and Information Sevice

Language

English 

Pre-course Activities or Assessment

No

Learner assessment

Assessment will be done through (online) assignments, namely the production of scenario reports. Successful completion of the assignments and active attendance of the 5 synchronous sessions will be needed to be awarded a certificate of completion.

Pre-requisites

Language and computer skills required:

Applicants are expected to have:

• a good working knowledge of English
• basic computer skills
• using a word processing, presentation software, or other productivity applications
• the ability to be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g. following a step-by-step tutorial, online video help, or access to support to learn necessary skills)
• Computer with Windows or Mac operating system

Technology requirements

To complete this course, you should have access to:

• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, or Firefox web browsers
• Access to internet
• Firewalls must be disabled in order to be able to attend the synchronous live sessions

Course duration and format

This 20 hours-long training course will run online between 21-25 Nov 2022, including 5 (daily) synchronous sessions to be held between 13:00 -16:00, Beijing time (UTC+8), using BigBlueButton web conferencing platform.

The course includes 15 hours of synchronous work (content and discussion) plus 3 - 5 hours of individual asynchronous work for completion of the assignments.

Application Process

A limited number of seats (40) is available. Please complete the online application form available on this LINK. The deadline to submit the application is 26 October 2022 (23:59 Central European Time). There are no tuition fees.

UNESCO is committed to promote equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Selection process/criteria (40 seats available):

The Selecting Committee will be set up by the hosts (NCOSM and NMDIS), which will comprise the course coordinator, organizers and lecturers.

• selection criteria include applicant’s academic background, professional experience/duties (such as marine observation, blue carbon and ecosystem data management) and how the applicant will be able to apply the new knowledge acquired.
• Priority will be given to participants from the West Pacific

Contacts:

• Course Coordinators:
  • Xu Dian ncosmws@ncosm.org.cn
  • Chen Fangfang chenfangfang@ncosm.org.cn
• OTGA Secretariat: ioc.training@unesco.org

In case of questions please use the contacts above always using the name of the course as email subject.

Cancellation policy:

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.