Applications are now open for four (4) undergraduate scholarship opportunities for candidates from developing States, Members of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The placements are provided by Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd. (TOML) in accordance with its obligations its contract for polymetallic nodules (PMN) with ISA.
The undergraduate degree programmes will be offered through the University of the Southern Pacific (USP), Laucala campus in Fiji. The scholarships are open to candidates seeking to pursue studies in the following fields: marine science, biology, environmental science, earth sciences, geosciences, geology, or engineering. Preference will be provided to those with an interest in polymetallic nodules and ocean sustainability.
Semester 1 is set to commence in February 2023 and the trainee is expected to complete the undergraduate programme within the standard time frame of the degree of study (i.e. 3 or 4 years depending on the programme).
The scholarship will cover the direct costs required to complete an undergraduate programme at the USP Fiji campus.
Interested candidates should possess the educational requirements (including English proficiency) for acceptance to their preferred programme at USP and demonstrate an interest in the seafloor minerals industry (preference will be provided to those with an interest in polymetallic nodules and ocean sustainability).
Please visit this link for more information and to apply. Applications by qualified candidates should be received no later than 28 August 2022.
One of the Voluntary Commitments made by the ISA at the UN Ocean Conference 2017 was "Enhancing the role of Women in Deep-Sea Research through capacity building" - we therefore strongly encourage suitably qualified females to apply for these training opportunities.
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All contractors with ISA have a legal obligation to provide and fund training opportunities for personnel from developing States and those of ISA.
The legal basis for the requirement stems from the provisions of UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement and is set out in the standard terms of contracts. Its purpose is to ensure that personnel from developing States are provided with appropriate operational expertise to enable them to participate in deep-seabed mining.
Please visit this page to know more about the Contractor Training Programme.
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Annekah Mason, Training Coordinator, ISA, [email protected]