Galway and Grenada, one a sunny paradise, the other not so much. But they have been building partnerships none the less with their shared connection with the ocean.
Under the Our Shared Ocean programme marine students from Grenada have been studying in Galway with scholarship funding.
Adara Jaggernauth and Shanelle Naveena Gilkes came from the Caribbean island to enroll in Atlantic Technological University Galway’s MSc in Applied Marine Conservation.
Grenada’s current research capacity is constrained by relatively low numbers of researchers and the educational programs it can offer graduates.
Our Shared Ocean funding strengthens the academic capacity of these young marine scientists to address socio-environmental challenges, identify sustainable development priorities, and increase resilience and adaptability.
The scholars spent five months in ATU within the Marine and Freshwater Research Centre studying Data Analysis, GIS, Marine Population Assessments and Ecology.
During their stay they also completed a research trip on the RV Tom Crean before returning home.
Dr. Patricia Rosa, Director of Marine, Wildlife and Conservation Biology program, St. Georges University said that they are immensely proud of their students, who “exemplify the spirit of global partnership and academic excellence.”
“Their Masters Scholarships symbolize the collaborative spirit between Ireland and Grenada and enable vital marine research which is expected to produce positive benefits for our marine ecosystems.”
“Our Shared Ocean’s emphasis on capacity building aligns perfectly with SGU’s vision of fostering global leaders and we look forward to growing these important relationships with both ATU and the Marine Institute in the years to come.”
Now in their second semester, the students, based in Grenada, will complete a thesis on specific marine topics relevant to the island of Grenada and the Marine, Wildlife and Conservation Biology programme at St. Georges University.
The projects will look at Sea Moss cultivation and fish biomass on coral reefs.
These scholarships are part of a suite of competitive calls to support capacity building in eligible SIDS partner countries in Oceans and Climate Action, Inclusive and Sustainable Blue Economy and Marine Policy and Ocean Governance.
The multi-annual collaboration funded by Irish Aid and administered by the Marine Institute, will provide €3.8 million over the next five years to facilitate partnerships on ocean-related issues.
Ms Gilkes added, “ATU’s MSc. Applied Marine Conservation is a practical, down-to-earth experience that broadened my understanding of, and deepened my passion, for marine conservation.”
“This rewarding journey, with the help of Our Shared Ocean, has brought significant opportunities and I look forward to applying these learnings to my own research in Grenada.”
