Primorsky Aquarium and Institute of World Ocean, FEFU, signed a cooperation agreement
The Primorsky Aquarium– Branch of the NSCMB FEB RAS and the Institute of World Ocean, Far-Eastern Federal University (IMO FEFU), signed a cooperation agreement. The two institutions agreed to work together in academic, scientific, and innovative fields.
The agreement was mutually signed by Olga Shevchenko, Director of the Primorsky Aquarium and Kirill Vinnikov, Director of the IMO FEFU.
“Modern aquariums not only keep and display aquatic animals, but also study them to understand how to adequately assess and ultimately advance animal welfare in captivity. This is the area of cooperation the Primorsky Aquarium is particularly interested in and this is what the agreement with the Institute of World Ocean is about.
The IMO FEFU boasts a faculty with expertise in hydrology, oceanology, meteorology and especially in underwater engineering. The Institute’s experts study a vast body of topics, from marine life to various chemical and physical properties of the ocean.
The Institute values its students, and the Primorsky Aquarium is enthusiastic about bringing gifted young hydrobiology and engineering undergraduates on board as potential employees. The partnership agreement will contribute to an increase in scientific investigation conducted at the Aquarium. Our institution can become an amazing place to inspire scientific discovery in a new generation of researchers,” - emphasized Olga Shevchenko.
At the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects for carrying out joint research and development work, the ways to involve the faculty and experts into scientific investigation and education for both institutions, to shape up internship opportunities for undergraduates and postgraduates, as well as to organize research teams and joint projects in marine and freshwater biology.
“The Institute of World Ocean strives to become the largest in the Russian Far East and one of the major research, development and education centers for marine exploration in the Asia-Pacific region. Together with the Primorsky Aquarium, we can undertake collaborative research using the Aquarium’s Shared Equipment Facility, launch joint scientific expeditions and rise to higher levels in education,” said Kirill Vinnikov.
IMO FEFU students are henceforth invited to attend educational events and to participate in internship programs organized by the Primorsky Aquarium. Furthermore, IMO FEFU professors and lecturers can now conduct their classes in extraordinary exhibits and laboratories of the Primorsky Aquarium.
The institutions also agreed to develop collaborative professional development programs in marine biology and marine mammal studies. The School of Marine Mammal Trainers is another joint project to be started this year.