The opening of the South African Master of Ocean Sciences (SAMOS) project was welcomed by the choir of Nelson Mandela University, which delivered a heartfelt introduction, extending a warm greeting to all attendees at this momentous occasion.

The launch took place from 8-10 April 2025, hosted in Gqeberha, South Africa, Nelson Mandela University. This marked the beginning of a dynamic three-year initiative, coordinated by the University of Brest (France), and funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the field of Higher Education (CBHE) programme.

SAMOS Project’s objectives

The SAMOS project was developed to co-create a new multidisciplinary Master of Ocean Sciences degree in South Africa with both a taught and a research component. This inclusive initiative is a collaborative effort between nine South African universities, 5 of which are historically disadvantaged universities, the National Research Foundation, and five European partner institutions, aimed at strengthening education, research and innovation in support of the sustainable blue economy*.

Strong support from the South African authorities

The opening day featured remarks from key stakeholders, who reflected on the years of groundwork that led to this milestone and emphasised the strategic value of advancing ocean sciences.

At the heart of the project lies the goal of equipping the next generation of scientists with the tools and knowledge to manage ocean resources responsibly. Dr. Muki Moeng, DVC Teaching and Learning at Nelson Mandela University, highlighted the direct contribution of the SAMOS programme to sustainable practices and responsible resource management, aligning closely with South Africa’s Vision 2030.

The national importance of the programme was reinforced by Dr. Whitfield Green, CEO of the Council on Higher Education, and Dr. Gilbert Siko, Acting Chief Director for Marine and Polar Research at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. They emphasised the programme’s alignment with national development goals – particularly the internationalisation of higher education, the strengthening of ocean sciences capacity, and adherence to CHE’s Quality Assurance framework for local and cross-border qualifications.

M. Garth van Heerden, representing the National Research Foundation, emphasised the objectives of the NRF to go beyond financial support, and develop strong relationships with universities and scientists to ensure adequate support to specific needs expressed by the laters.

A stronger France – South Africa partnership

The legacy and strength of Franco-South African cooperation were also celebrated. Dr. Francis Marsac, representing IRD, underscored how the SAMOS project represents an important result and continuation of more than two decades of collaborative efforts in marine sciences between the two countries. Prof. Fred Jean, head of the European Institute for Marine Studies (Brest, France), praised the programme’s high academic quality-made possible through the deep commitment and cohesion of the consortium partners.

Echoing this, M. Aurélien Leynet, Attaché for science and academic cooperation at the French Embassy, underscored the strategic value of such partnerships, strengthening opportunities for collaboration and mobility.

An inclusive and innovative project

The programme’s inclusivity and transformative potential were underscored by contributions from several partner universities. Dr. Nomakwezi Mzilikazi, DVC for Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships at Rhodes University, stressed the need to strengthen capacity in Ocean Sciences that originated the design of the SAMOS curriculum and project as a whole.

Prof. Andrew Leitch, representing the University of Fort Hare, spoke to the vital role of Historically Disadvantaged Universities in SAMOS. He then called for close attention to student supervision to ensure robust academic support. Prof. Nosisi Feza, DVC for Research at Walter Sisulu University, emphasised the imperative to drive impactful research and innovation, linking SAMOS directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Finally, Prof. Mudali from the University of Zululand highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of their science faculty – a unique asset that will enrich the SAMOS consortium and foster integrated approaches to ocean sciences education and research.

Further in the morning, the Advisory Board meeting was held in a hybrid format. Members were introduced, the Memorandum of Agreement was discussed, and strategic planning was initiated. After a networking lunch, the afternoon continued with the Steering Committee session focusing on project management and implementation monitoring.

A structured work dynamic

The remainder of the days were dedicated to outlining key actions and finalising the implementation strategy, with the Work Package (WP) leaders presenting their activities and deliverables. Dedicated working group sessions brought participants together in thematic teams on governance, teaching plan, capacity-building and communication and dissemination, which reinforced collaborative engagement and set clear paths for project execution.

The final day focused on highlighting the research components of the project and introduced the twinning programme for academics. The WP leaders delivered feedback from the previous day’s group sessions, summarising key outcomes and next steps. The day concluded with continued engagement from all members of the SAMOS consortium.

A solid foundation for the future

As the project enters its implementation phase, the momentum generated during the kick-off event has laid a solid foundation for meaningful, academic exchange and capacity building. Through its innovative approach and international collaboration, SAMOS is well placed to make a significant contribution to the advancement of the sustainable blue economy and toward shaping the future of ocean sciences in higher education across South Africa and beyond.

*Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, National Research Foundation, Rhodes University, University of Cape Town, University of Fort Hare, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of the Western Cape, University of Zululand, Walter Sisulu University, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, University of Montpellier, University of Bergen

SAMOS project’s website : https://samos-edu.eu/