30 USP Students Board Sailing Ship on Research Trip of Region
Thirty students from the University of the South Pacific have been selected to join the 90 students from the University of Bergen on Norway’s largest sailing ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl.
The students will be on board for a period of three weeks in July to take part in the course which will focus on Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14), Life below water, SDG13-Climate action and showcases SDG17-Partnerships.
The next leg of the tour will be to Samoa and Tonga and back to Fiji.
Mishek Nair said he was fortunate to be selected for the research trip.
He is a final year student doing Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Geo Science at the USP.
Mr Nair had never been on a ship and said this would be a great opportunity for him not only to be on a ship, but also gain from the experience.
He is writing his master’s proposal in regards to climate change based on ocean acidification and this is a great opportunity to go on board and brainstorm ideas.
“I am glad to be part of this research voyage as it will enable me to unlock sustainable solutions related to climate change and be an advocate for climate change nationally,” he said.
“This tour will also help me academically in terms of getting an opportunity to learn from professionals in the field of oceanography and climate science.”
Another student Viliame Salusalu, 34, said this would be a lifetime adventure.
He is a full time postgraduate student studying Land Management.
This also is a great opportunity to learn together with other students about the ways that exist to solve the sustainability challenges.
“It will trace back all voyages made by the ancestors from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga and also to the other Pacific Island group and with the use of traditional sailing methods, it will be exciting,” he said.
“As this will be a tour around the sea we will collect samples and assess the level of toxic wastes made from activities we carry out inland.
“It will be exciting to see how results turn out and to share knowledge with other students on what measures can be taken in minimising climate change impact.”
Background
Norwegian sailing ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl is berthed at the Kings Wharf in Suva with 90 students from the University of Bergen on board.
This is the first time that Lehumkuhl circumnavigates the globe and its first visit to the Pacific Ocean.
The vessel and its crew are halfway through an extraordinary 20-month long circumnavigation called The One Ocean Expedition and is an official part of the
UN Decade of Marine Research.
Its goal is to create attention and share knowledge about the crucial role of the ocean for sustainable development from a global perspective.
90 students from the University of Bergen are taking a special course on sustainability and leadership for four months onboard the ship, sailing from Valparaiso - Tahiti - Cook Island - Fiji - Samoa - Tonga - Solomon Island - Palau.
Yesterday, 30 selected students from the University of the South Pacific went on board to join the next legs to Samoa and Tonga and back again to Fiji.