Gulf of Guinea Ocean Sciences Summer School

One week left - have you applied yet?

Applications for OPERA MOOC Set 1 - Fundamentals of Ocean Forecasting close in one week, on 29 June 2026. The course is free, fully online, and open to anyone working in or studying ocean sciences, fisheries, coastal management, meteorology, or related fields.

The application takes less than 30 minutes. No prior forecasting experience needed.

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Apply by 29 June: https://www.unoceanprediction.org/mooc-application-form/

About OPERA
OPERA - Ocean Prediction Enhancement in the Regions of Africa - is a five-year project implemented by Mercator Ocean Internationall with funding from the European Union as part of the Arc X / Global Gateway programme. The MOOC Set 1 has been developed under the OPERA Capacity Development Activities, led by the ICMPA-UNESCO Chair (Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin) and the Gulf of Guinea Ocean Sciences Summer School.

More information: https://www.unoceanprediction.org/en/ocean-prediction-enhancement-regions-africa-opera

Interested in joining the OPERA MOOC on Ocean Forecasting but would like to learn more before applying?

Join our online information session on 4 June 2025 to discover the OPERA training programme and explore the content and structure of the MOOC “Fundamentals of Ocean Forecasting”. During the session, participants will learn how the course is organised, how to navigate the FutureLearn platform, and why ocean forecasting plays a key role in understanding and protecting our ocean today.

The course begins on 29 June 2026 and is open free of charge to learners worldwide, with no prior background in oceanography required.

Join us here - link also shared in bio: https://events.unoceanprediction.org/fundamentals-of-ocean-forecasting



Gulf of Guinea Ocean Sciences Summer School Mercator Ocean International Port Authority of Douala - Pad Météo Bénin Port Autonome d'Abidjan Plastic Oceans

OPERA MOOC Set 1: Fundamentals of Ocean Forecasting - Applications are now OPEN

This free 7-week online course provides a comprehensive introduction to ocean forecasting - how it works, what drives it, and how its products are used in the real world. It covers the full end-to-end chain: from the physics of ocean circulation and the numerical models that simulate it, to the observing systems that feed them, and the downstream applications that put forecast products to work in fisheries, coastal management, maritime safety, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation.

🎓 Designed for students, early-career professionals, and practitioners in oceanography, meteorology, marine science, fisheries, coastal management, maritime operations, disaster risk reduction, and environmental policy. No prior experience in ocean forecasting is required.

📅 Key dates:
→ Applications open: 19 May 2026
→ Free info webinar: 04 June 2026 · 14:30 UTC
→ Deadline: 16 June 2026
→ Course starts: 29 June 2026

✅ Free · 7 weeks · ~21 hours · FutureLearn · English / French · Online & asynchronous

Apply now: https://www.unoceanprediction.org/mooc-application-form/

This course is developed under the OPERA Capacity Development Activities led by the CIPMA - CHAIRE UNESCO (Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin) and Gulf of Guinea Ocean Sciences Summer School. OPERA - Ocean Prediction Enhancement in the Regions of Africa - is a five-year project implemented by Mercator Ocean International with funding from the European Union as part of the Arc X programme.

More information about the project here: https://www.unoceanprediction.org/en/ocean-prediction-enhancement-regions-africa-opera.

Port Autonome d'Abidjan Port Autonome De Conakry Port Authority of Douala - Pad Météo Bénin Université de Dschang Université de Toulouse Plastic Oceans

🌊 GGOSSS 2026 | Selection Results Announced!

We are thrilled to share that the selection process for the 2nd Edition of the Gulf of Guinea Ocean Sciences Summer School (GGOSSS 2026) is now complete!

📩 Notification emails have been sent to all applicants. Please check your inbox (and spam folder, just in case!).

We received an incredible number of applications this year - a true testament to the growing passion for marine and coastal science across the Gulf of Guinea region and beyond. To everyone who applied: thank you. Your enthusiasm and dedication to ocean science inspire us every day.

We look forward to welcoming our selected participants to CIPMA – Chaire UNESCO, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin from October 3–9, 2026 for what promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Stay tuned for more updates! 🐚🌍

Get to know more about the strategic and technical partner institutions for the OPERA Capacity Development Activities!

The Gulf of Guinea Ocean Sciences Summer School (GGOSSS) is a regional capacity-building initiative dedicated to strengthening ocean science and ocean forecasting expertise across West and Central Africa. It was created to provide hands-on, high-level training for students, early-career researchers, and professionals working in oceanography, climate science, and coastal management. Through intensive learning environments combining theory, data analysis, numerical modeling, and field activities, GGOSSS aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and operational ocean applications in the Gulf of Guinea region.

GGOSSS is conceived as a recurring and expanding program, with the next edition scheduled to take place in Benin in October 2026 and further editions planned across the Gulf of Guinea region. By building a growing network of trained African ocean scientists, instructors, and partner institutions, GGOSSS provides a sustainable platform for long-term capacity development. Within the OPERA Capacity Development Program, GGOSSS serves as technical implementation partner, offering a practical training ecosystem, regional expertise, and a strong community base that directly supports OPERA’s objectives of advancing operational ocean forecasting and resilience in Africa
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Keep an eye on our page to learn more about the drivers behind ocean forecasting capacity development and ocean literacy in Africa and beyond through the OPERA project!

🚨 LAST CALL – GGOSSS 2026 APPLICATIONS CLOSE TODAY!

⏳ Deadline: March 31st, 11:59 PM (GMT)

This is your final chance to join the Gulf of Guinea Ocean Sciences Summer School (GGOSSS) and be part of a new generation of ocean scientists in Africa 🌊

👉 Apply now: www.ggosss.org/application

⚠️ Late applications will NOT be accepted.

🚨 Happening NOW!

🌊 Still thinking about applying to GGOSSS 2026?
Don’t miss our Live Q&A Session!

📅 Wednesday, March 18
⏰ 3:00 PM (GMT)
💻 Online (Microsoft Teams)

👉 Get all your questions answered about:
✔️ The program
✔️ Eligibility & application
✔️ Selection process
✔️ What to expect

🎯 This is your chance to connect directly with the GGOSSS team!

📲 Join us now: https://qrco.de/bgfkiq

📌 Applications close April 1st, 2026

🚨 Happening TOMORROW!

🌊 Still thinking about applying to GGOSSS 2026?
Don’t miss our Live Q&A Session!

📅 Wednesday, March 18
⏰ 3:00 PM (GMT)
💻 Online (Microsoft Teams)

👉 Get all your questions answered about:
✔️ The program
✔️ Eligibility & application
✔️ Selection process
✔️ What to expect

🎯 This is your chance to connect directly with the GGOSSS team!

📲 Join here: https://qrco.de/bgfkiq

📌 Applications close April 1st, 2026