BACKGROUND
Asian Monsoon plays a significant role in the agriculture and the livelihood of people in the wider Southeast Asian Basin and its neighboring countries since it brings most of the rainfall to this region. Naturally, while Asian Monsoon deviates from its normal pattern, it causes severe disasters such as floods and droughts, even resulting in the disruption of agricultural operation and the displacement of inhabitants. In addition, the extraordinary late monsoon onset leads to an extended length of high sea surface temperature, and thus increasing the risk of coral bleaching. In this sense, it is vital to improve the monitoring capability on monsoon onset in the wider Southeast Asia region for the societal and ecosystem benefit.
To this end, in view of the fact that the Asian Monsoon is evidently influenced by and coupled with the ocean, the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) initiated one pilot project entitled “Monsoon Onset Monitoring and its Social and Ecosystem Impact” (MOMSEI) in 2009 within its South East Asia Global Ocean Observing System (SEAGOOS) with objectives to improve the understanding and forecasting of Asia monsoon and its multi-scale variability at regional level through the conduct of air-sea interaction in the Monsoon birthplace and the analysis of the possible link of monsoon onset with its impact on marine ecosystem.
In light of the increasing demand of capacity building, three MOMSEI Summer Schools were held, respectively in Qingdao China 26-30 July 2010, Phuket Thailand 15-19 August 2011, and Qingdao China 6-10 August 2012 to bring the up-to-date monsoon science to young scientists from participating countries. In particular, besides the participants from MOMSEI participating countries, the MOMSEI Summer School-II and III also received total eleven trainees from countries bordering the Bay of Bengal, such as India, Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka in close cooperation with the GEF/FAO Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) project.
Following the success of and strong interests received from the previous three Summer Schools, WESTPAC decided to organize the four MOMSEI Summer School in Terengganu, Malaysia, 19-23 August 2013 with the kind host of the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (National University of Malaysia).
TRAINING CONTENTS
The MOMSEI Summer School-IV will consist of four-day lecture Session, half day field trip and half day wrap-up Session.
The Lecture Session will include three parts, i.e. Basic Science of Asian Monsoon; Asian Monsoon Onset Monitoring, Coral Monitoring, possible links between onset anomalies and coral bleaching; and MOMSEI project.
Session-I: Basic Science of Asian Monsoon
• The overview of Asian Monsoon
• Asian Monsoon intra-seasonal to inter-decadal variations
• El Niño and Southern Oscillation (ENSO)’s impact on Asian Monsoon
Session-II: Asian Monsoon Onset Monitoring, Coral Monitoring
• Asian Monsoon Onset Monitoring and Coral monitoring
• Monsoon’s impact on coral ecosystem
Session-III: MOMSEI Project Introduction
• MOMSEI Science Plan
• MOMSEI Implementation Strategy and Status
Session-IV: Field trip
A half day field trip will be arranged by the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu to visit the relevant laboratory facilities and/or other infrastructures, which will be of help for all trainees to acquire in-situ experience on the operation of relevant oceanographic instruments, collection of data, etc.
Session–V: Wrap-up
MOMSEI Summer School will conduct a half day wrap-up session to encourage the trainees to briefly present their research experience, and feedbacks on MOMSEI and MOMSEI Summer School.
TRAINEES
This Summer School is open to those who have a Master’s Degree and/or working experience in oceanography, meteorology, marine biology and ecosystem. Due to the limitation of available funding support, the priority will be given to those from MOMSEI participating countries. The applicants should have a good command of English.
For those who wish to join the Summer School, please send your CV, the Application Form, no later than 15 June 2013, to Dr. Li Zhi (lizhi@fio.org.cn), Dr. Mohd Fadzil bin Mohd Akhir (mfadzil@umt.edu.my), and with a copy to Mr. Wenxi Zhu (w.zhu@unesco.org), Head of WESTPAC Office.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Limited financial support for the most economic round-way travel and local expenditures is available upon request. Priority will be given to those selected trainees from the MOMSEI participating countries.
All funded trainees are required to reserve and purchase their round-trip tickets at economy class between their home country and Terengganu, and bring the original receipt of air flights and boarding passes to the Local Secretariat upon arrival. Reimbursement will be made during/after the Summer School.
DATE AND VENUE
The Fourth Summer School will take place on 19-23 August 2013 at the Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.
WORKING LANGUAGE
The Summer School will be conducted in English.
VISA
Some trainees traveling to Malaysia are perhaps required to have the entry visa to Malaysia in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. Please check the visa requirements with the Malaysia Embassy/Consulate in your country and apply for the entry-visa. The Local Secretariat and the WESTPAC Office will be glad to provide you any assistance if needed.
TRANSPORTATION
Please send your itinerary and passport information to the Local Secretariat no later than 5th August 2013. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu will arrange pick-up and drop-off service at the Kuala Terengganu Airport.
LOCAL CONTACT PERSON
Dr. Mohd Fadzil bin Mohd Akhir
Institute of Oceanography and Environment
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia
Email: mfadzil@umt.edu.my
We are looking forward to seeing you in Terengganu, Malaysia.
Annoucement in pdf
Application Form in word
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