Ever heard of a floating classroom in the open oceans? Anyway, here is one, courtesy of a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) inspiration.
UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Sub-Commission for Africa, the Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA), and the Government of South Africa are collaborating in making the Floating Classroom n The Open Oceans idea a reality.
They have worked hand-in-hand to advance ocean science, education, and sustainable development across the continent, a collaboration that encompasses from capacity-building initiatives to high-level policy dialogues.
A UNESCO document on the initiative says the partnership has consistently championed Africa’s leadership in marine research and governance.
It calls it an enduring relationship which once again brought to life through SEAmester VIII, South Africa’s flagship “floating classroom” programme, adding that it was hosted aboard the S.A. Agulhas II, a world-class research vessel operated by the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI).
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According to the organisation, the Eighth edition of the SEAmester offered a unique opportunity for students and scientists to learn, collaborate, and conduct research in the open ocean.
With IOCAFRICA’s support, it adds, a cohort of African beneficiaries joined this year’s voyage from 17 to 27 June 2025, gaining hands-on experience in marine science while building lasting networks across the continent.
SEAmester is more than a training programme, it’s a transformative experience that blends academic instruction with real-world application. Participants engage in lectures, fieldwork, and collaborative projects, all while navigating the open ocean aboard a fully equipped research vessel.
For Dortea Hamukoto, a master’s student from the University of Namibia, the voyage was a gateway to discovery.
Cami Ezenwa is a Writer, Editor, Publicist, Biographer and Journalism Trainer
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