An ocean partnership

VIVA SARAH PRESS ISRAEL21C

The presidents of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Dalhousie University of Canada recently signed a memorandum of understanding to create an ocean studies centre in Eilat. The objective is to develop, through the Dalhousie-BGU partnership and with the other research centres in Eilat, a marine science site with the vision of creating an internationally recognized ocean studies centre for marine sciences. The initiative will involve pure and applied joint-research projects, co-supervision of doctoral students, industry research internships in both countries, joint field courses in the winter in Eilat and in the summer at Dalhousie in Halifax.

Canadian philanthropist Seymour Schulich, “with his masterful vision and generosity, has been the catalyst for what has the potential to become a world-class ocean research centre for Dalhousie University and Ben-Gurion University,” said Dalhousie president Richard Florizone. “He, along with all the insightful and driving ground work provided by [vice-president] of research Martha Crago and the excellent scientific links of Marlon Lewis and other Dalhousie researchers to Israeli researchers, has given us the critical momentum and credibility to advance our partnerships with those universities significantly through the conversations we are having in Israel this week.”

This centre will become a gathering place for marine scientists from around the world, a generator of basic, applied and industry-partnered scientific advances, and home to an innovative international educational program for the development of highly qualified personnel.

“We see great opportunities stemming from this scientific partnership, both research and technology-wise, between these two universities,” said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Eilat, situated on the Red Sea at the southernmost tip of Israel, is home to the Interuniversity Institute in Marine Science, involving the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Haifa University, Tel Aviv University, Bar Ilan University and BGU. It is also the location of the National Centre for Mariculture and a BGU campus, all with researchers dedicated to marine sciences.

Dalhousie is a leading Canadian ocean research university, situated on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The different ocean environments of the Red Sea and the North Atlantic provide ideal settings for the phenomenon of deep-water mixing, deep-water corals, underwater natural and animal resources, aquaculture and marine biodiversity and marine animal behavior, as well as marine sovereignty, marine security and transportation.

The centre has the potential to deepen the understanding of marine science and to develop its resources for the benefit of science and industry, said BGU president Rivka Carmi. “The sea covers 70 percent of the earth’s surface and is essential for our survival. And yet, at the same time, most of it remains unexplored – filled with mystery and unfulfilled potential. We believe this partnership will strengthen the cutting-edge science at both universities and place this unique initiative at the forefront of global research,” said Carmi.

Viva Sarah Press is an associate editor and writer at Israel21C. She has extensive experience in reporting/editing in the print, online and broadcast fields. Her work has been published by media outlets, including Israel Television, CNN, Reuters, the Jerusalem Post and Time Out.

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