Master of Oceans and Lakes

29/09/2026

The new academic year has started, and the master Oceans & Lakes is happy to welcome almost 40 new students, coming from 18 different countries! 10 of these students are VLIRUOS scholars, a special welcome to them!
The year has started with introductions to the three universities and related research groups, as well as a welcome event for staff, 1st years and 2nd years.
Stay tuned for more updates soon!



UAntwerpen VUB - Vrije Universiteit Brussel Universiteit Gent

05/06/2026

Over the past 40 years, marine and freshwater MSc programmes in Flanders have built a global community of marine and freshwater science professionals. With the FWO-funded project OceanConnectXL, we celebrate this shared legacy and bring together alumni from Oceans & Lakes, IMBRSea, TROPIMUNDO and earlier programmes to reconnect, exchange ideas and strengthen collaboration across continents.

On 16 November 2026, we are hosting the first OceanConnectXL Alumni Event at VUB aan Zee (Ostend): a full day of keynotes, interactive sessions and networking focused on professional collaboration, career development and community building. It takes place during the same week as the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026 (17–20 November 2026 in Bruges) without overlap, providing the opportunity to combine both events.

The event is mainly for alumni of the marine and freshwater MSc programmes in Flanders (Oceans & Lakes, IMBRSea, TROPIMUNDO, and predecessors). Alumni with a strong link to marine and freshwater science from other MSc programmes (e.g., MSc Biology, Human Ecology) are also welcome. However, priority will be given to alumni from the target programmes depending on expected number of participants and the maximum capacity of the event venue.

Scan the QR code or follow this link to express your interest and help shape the programme: https://forms.gle/r7FiqfNGENiN1Lu46.
This is not the formal registration. The official registration process and further event details will be communicated at a later stage


VUB - Vrije Universiteit Brussel
VUB International Relations

20/04/2026

🌊 Our 1st year students have just returned from an inspiring week in France, where they successfully completed the Integrated Marine Coastal Ecology Field Course!
Working in small groups, students carried out research projects, exploring topics such as tide pool ecology and biodiversity, marine litter, and river water quality.
From sandy beaches to rocky shores to estuaries, they investigated several coastal habitats—gaining hands-on experience and real insight into marine coastal ecology.
📸 Photos by our Oceans & Lakes students, capturing both the science and the experience.

13/03/2026

Two inspiring weeks along the Kenyan coast 🌊
Last week, we concluded our Monsoon school in Kenya, where students worked in teams on realistic consultancy-style projects (‘tenders’) addressing pressing but fictional coastal challenges. Topics ranged from coastal erosion and sea level rise, the blue economy, and carbon sequestration to migratory birds in coastal wetlands and seaweed mariculture.
Next to the work for the tender, we also visited important sites for the region, on a cultural, historical and community level, such as Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest, the Slave Caves in Shimoni, and Mkwiro BMU.
Throughout the programme, students visited field sites and interviewed stakeholders, bringing together research and practice. This was done in close collaboration with alumni, partners and local organisations such as Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), and COMRED.
After two weeks of research, interviews, discussions and teamwork, each group presented their findings and will later on deliver a consultancy-style report - combining academic research, and local knowledge into practical solutions for coastal ecosystems and communities.

17/11/2025

Meet Emmeline Van Lent — a recent Oceans & Lakes alumna whose research contributed to UNESCO’s MangRes Project and mangrove restoration in Colombia’s Seaflower Biosphere Reserve. Her fieldwork on Providencia Island after Hurricane Iota reflects how scientific and community knowledge can support ecosystem recovery. She worked under the supervision of Prof. dr. Tom Van der Stocken, dr. Diana Di Nitto and Prof. dr. Nico Koedam and local promotors in Providencia.
Read all about Emmeline's work in this article on the UNESCO website:
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-mangres-project-inspires-young-researcher-restore-and-protect-mangroves

14/11/2025

06/11/2025

The preregistrations for the VLIRUOS scholarships for the Master Oceans & Lakes for 2026-2028 are now open!
More info on our website: http://oceansandlakes.chromis.be/node/28
Deadline of the application: 1 February 2026

Thank you for sharing

24/10/2025

Last week, our students visited the InnovOcean campus in Ostend, where they were welcomed by many of the programme’s alumni, as well as several other Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs). 🌊
Within the framework of the UN Ocean Decade, students met with representatives from VLIZ, ILVO, the UNESCO/IOC Project Office for IODE – OceanTeacher Global Academy, and the European Marine Board. They shared insights into their work and experiences in the marine science field, along with valuable advice for future ocean professionals — from job-search strategies to the importance of strong data management.
The visit highlighted how vital connection and collaboration are for the future of ocean research. 🌍

17/10/2025

The WIOMSA Symposium 2025 brought together students, alumni, and partners of the Oceans & Lakes programme under the theme “One Ocean, One Future: Connecting People, Policy, and Science for a Thriving Western Indian Ocean.”
The event was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with our strong network across the WIO region and to welcome representatives from ESPOL and USTH into the community.
Together with the University of the Western Cape, we hosted an open alumni session — “Exploring the Role of AI in Marine Science” — sparking inspiring discussions on innovation in ocean research. This also featured a presentation by Joseph Maina of the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD). In his presentation. Joseph looked at how, with AI, we can transform raw ocean data into trusted knowledge, supporting smarter policies, resilient ecosystems, and sustainable blue economies.
At the programme’s promotional booth, we met many future ocean scientists and potential partners eager to join our mission.
Because when we share knowledge, connect across disciplines, and collaborate across borders — we create real change.

08/05/2025

Check out this upcoming art exhibition on 'Life in the North Sea', by Iona Birnie. This is the end result of Iona’s Internship that she completed during the Oceans & Lakes master program, at the UGent Marine Biology Research Group. The exhibition takes place from 17 till 19 May, with a main event on 18 May (Biodiversity Day!). Check all info here: https://www.gum.gent/nl/event/dag-van-de-biodiversiteit-2025