ISA-Egypt Joint Training and Research Centre
About the JTRC
ISA and the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt are collaborating to establish a joint regional training and research centre, as approved by the Assembly of ISA at its 28th session (July 2023). This centre will focus on enhancing capacity development, marine scientific research, and technology transfer in the Middle East and Africa.
Background
The proposal for this initiative came from the Group of African States at ISA, emphasizing the need for tailored training programs to meet the specific requirements of member states in the region.
Following the adoption of ISBA/28/A/13 during the 28th session of the Assembly, the ISA-Egypt JTRC will be established as the first regional joint training and research centre in Alexandria (Egypt).
The joint centre will be affiliated with the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt, located in Alexandria, and will be funded through contributions from development partners and donations.
The ISA-Egypt JTRC will serve as a hub for various functions, including offering comprehensive training programs in marine science and technology, conducting collaborative research projects, organizing conferences and seminars, and promptly disseminating research findings. It will also foster technical cooperation with other states, especially focusing on developing countries and those with unique geographical challenges.
A steering committee will be established to provide guidance to the director of the centre, who will oversee daily operations.
- Promote training and capacity-building opportunities and programmes developed for nationals of developing States in activities relating to the seabed.
- Stimulate and advance the conduct of marine scientific research by developing States.
- Foster cooperation in marine scientific research and technological development, including, where feasible and appropriate, the transfer of marine technology.
- Increase the participation of developing States in activities in the Area.
- Develop and implement specific activities and programmes to advance women’s empowerment and leadership in deep-sea research.
- Provision of training programmes in marine science and technology, as well as in techniques for marine scientific research, that are designed to facilitate the full participation of developing States in activities in the Area, including, where appropriate, training programmes to be provided by contractors under exploration or exploitation contracts with the Authority.
- Conduct of collaborative research programmes related to the latest developments and trends concerning activities in the Area.
- Organization of conferences, seminars, workshops and symposiums relating to marine scientific research in the Area and activities in the Area.
- Prompt dissemination of the results of marine scientific and technological research in easily accessible publications.
- Foster technical cooperation with other States, especially with developing countries, including least developed States, landlocked developing States and geographical disadvantaged States and small island developing States.
- Other functions as agreed by both parties.
Training courses
Training Programme on the scientific and technical aspects related to Regional Environmental Management Planning in the Area for the Indian Ocean: 20-25 September 2026, Alexandria, Egypt
Background
Pursuant to its mandate under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in particular article 145 on the protection of the marine environment, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has been progressively developing Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs) as key instruments for ensuring the effective protection of the marine environment from activities in the Area. To further facilitate the development of REMPs in various regions. in July 2025, the Council of the Authority, upon recommendation of the Legal and Technical Commission, adopted the standardized procedure for the development, establishment and review of REMPs, marking an important milestone in the policy framework.
In response to capacity development needs expressed by Member States, and in line with the ISA Capacity Development Strategy and the Marine Scientific Research Action Plan, the ISA Secretariat is pleased to launch a call for applications to participate in the Training Programme on the scientific and technical aspects related to REMPs , to be hosted by the ISA – Egypt Joint Training and Research Centre. The training forms part of the projects supported by the ISA Partnership Fund and implemented in collaboration with ISA Joint Training and Research Centres and leading scientific institutions.
Training objectives
The training programme aims to:
- Strengthen scientific and technical capacity of participants to contribute effectively to the development, implementation and review of REMPs.
- Enhance knowledge of scientific theories and concepts, best available techniques, and data sources used in REMP processes.
- Foster regional and international scientific cooperation, with particular emphasis on developing States.
- Promote the participation and empowerment of women and early career researchers in deep-sea related disciplines.
Training structure
The training will be delivered through a blended learning approach will comprise of an online phase and an in-person training phase:
- Deep Dive online phase
Selected participants will take part in a one-month self-paced online training through a dedicated Deep Dive eLearning module on REMPs, covering policy context, scientific foundations, and methodological approaches.
- In-person training workshop from 20-24 September, 2026, in Alexandria, Egypt)
The in-person training phase will take place over a period of 1 week. It will entail:
- Practical training in scientific techniques and analytical tools and methods relevant to REMPs.
- Case studies from the Clarion Clipperton Zone, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Northwest Pacific and the Indian Ocean region on the regional environmental planning processes and the scientific data and analytical methods developed to support such processes.
- Visits and laboratory session in state-of-the-art laboratories and research and development facilities at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF).
- Lectures by leading experts on the characteristics of the marine environment in the Indian Ocean, and the implications for regional environmental management planning in the region.
- Interactive exchanges with experts from ISA Secretariat, the Legal and Technical Commission, Joint Training and Research Centres and partner institutions.
- Learning from other participants about their experiences in national, regional and international processes related to environmental planning.
Participation in the in-person training phase is dependent on successful and timely completion of the Deep Dive E-learning training.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationals of an ISA developing Member State, including least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, geographically disadvantaged States and small island developing States.
- Educational background in marine biology, marine geology, ecology, oceanography, or related fields, with preference for applicants holding advanced degrees. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of relevant experience will also be considered.
- Researchers, scientists, early to midcareer professionals, or officials working in fields related to marine science, biodiversity, environmental management, spatial planning or ocean governance.
- Proven knowledge or experience in area-based management or marine spatial planning and ability to understand and analyse environmental data for management or policy discussions.
- Strong consideration will be given to qualified female candidates and early to mid-career professionals, in line with the Authority’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive capacity development.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of representatives of the ISA Secretariat and the ISA–Egypt JTRC. Selection will be based on:
- Relevance of professional background to the objectives of the training.
- Potential contribution to national or regional capacity development.
- Geographic and gender balance.
Financial Support
A limited number of participants will receive financial support to attend the in-person training, covering return economy class air ticket, accommodation and meals during the training period.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit an application by completing the application form available on this link: ISA/Egypt JTRC Training Programme – Fill out form
- Upload a curriculum vitae on the link provided in the application form
- Upload a letter of nomination from your institute/employer
The application deadline
10 June 2026
Contact
Training course on Environmental Impact Assessment for exploration activities carried out in the Area: 14 - 26 September 2024 - Alexandria, Egypt
In June 2023, the Board of the ISAPF, endorsed the development and implementation of a Training Course on Environmental Impact Assessment for activities carried out in the Area for officials, as well as scientists from ISA Members States, involved in deep-sea related matters.
The two-week course, held from 14 to 26 September 2024 in Alexandria, Egypt, brought together 18 national experts from 12 different Member States. Among the successful participants, one was a national of a least developed country, three from Big Ocean States and six were women.
Women in Blue: training opportunities in ocean science
The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) launched the initiative Women in Blue: training opportunities in ocean science, organized in partnership with the Italian National Research Council (CNR) within the framework of the ISA-Egypt Joint Training and Research Centre to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ISA.
The training articulates in two parts. The first consists of a winter school in Marine geology – Deep Sea Frontiers that will be held from 27 to 31 January 2025 in Bologna, Italy at the seat of the Institute for Marine Science of the CNR.
The initiative is financed by the ISA Partnership Fund and the CNR to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ISA. It will be opened to 10 women scientists from ISA Member States.
The call for applications has closed and successful candidates have been notified.
Training programme on the "Scientific and technical aspects related to regional environmental management planning in the Area for the Indian Ocean"
Currently accepting call for nominations for a training workshop under the ISA – Egypt Joint Training and Research Centre (ISA-Egypt JTRC)
“Training Programme on the scientific and technical aspects related to regional environmental management planning in the Area for the Indian Ocean.”
Dates: 20 – 24 September 2026
Location: Alexandria, Egypt
How to apply?
The call for nominations is open until the 10 June 2026. Applicants should complete the training application in the online application form, and upload the following documents:
- A curriculum vitae on the link provided in the application form
- A letter of nomination from your institute/employer
Any questions can be addressed to Capacity-development@isa.org.jm\
JTRC Steering Committee
The JTRC Steering Committee is the governing body of the JTRC. It was established in 2020 with the purpose of guiding the institutional set-up of the Centre and the work of the JTRC Secretariat. The Committee has held three meetings so far (in 2020, 2021 and 2022). The Committee was responsible for creating the Centre’s structure and work plan, and adopted documents related to the JTRC training activities.
The JTRC Steering Committee is composed of the following members:
- Prof. Amr Hamouda, Director of the Steering Committee and President of the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt
- Mr. Jose Dallo Moros, Director, Office of Stewardship, Environment and Resources, International Seabed Authority
- Dr. Marzia Rovere, Research Scientist at the Institute of Marine Sciences of the National Research Council, Italy
- Dr. Suzan Mohamed El-Gharabawy, Head of the Marine Geophysics Department at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt
- Dr. Mohamed Nassar, Marine Geophysicist and Hydrographic Surveyor at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt
Further links:
- About the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt
- ISBA/28/A/13 – Memorandum of understanding between ISA and the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt
JTRC News
