Summary

This 5-day international ONSITE training equips early career ocean professionals with the practical knowledge and technical competencies required to assess coastal water quality and monitor environmental conditions in small island ecosystems. Building on the IOC-UNESCO frameworks for ocean observing and capacity development, the course bridges standardized coastal monitoring methodologies with field-based environmental assessment in the contrasting ecosystems of Tidung Besar and Tidung Kecil, exploring how integrated physical and chemical water quality observations, laboratory nutrient analysis, and ecosystem-based interpretation are applied using CTD multiparameter sensors, Niskin bottle sampling, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and nutrient analyzer techniques to support evidence-based coastal management.

Place and venue

Indonesia, Jakarta; KIOTEC, Seribu Island (Tidung Besar and Tidung Kecil Island) and TWA Mangrove

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand major sources of nutrient enrichment, land-based pollution, and anthropogenic activities influencing coastal water quality in small island environments, and explain their impacts on marine ecosystems.
• Design a coastal water quality monitoring plan for small islands, combining in-situ CTD profiling and nutrient analysis, following APHA analytical methods and The Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS)
• Conduct in-situ survey using CTD, Portable water sampler, and nutrient analyses using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry.
• Analyze and interpret coastal water quality data by integrating field observations and laboratory results using internationally recognized assessment approaches, including STORET, Water Quality Index (WQI), TRIX (Trophic Index), and indicators supporting SDG 14 monitoring.
• Visualize and integrate field and laboratory water quality data using QGIS.
• Evaluate the ecological status of small island coastal waters by linking water quality conditions with ecosystem health, anthropogenic pressures, and nutrient dynamics to identify potential environmental issues.

Course content

Day 1:  Lecture Class and Collaborative Group Exercise on Small Island Water Quality Assessment (Introduction to Small Island Water Quality; co-Designing Water Quality Monitoring Programmes; Environmental Impact Assessment & ASEAN Coastal Challenges).

Topics Covered: Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of small islands; land-based pollution sources and drivers of water quality degradation; monitoring program design (spatial/temporal sampling strategies, station selection, parameter selection); quality assurance/control (QA/QC); environmental impact assessment frameworks and international standards (APHA, OBPS).

Activities: Pre-test, Interactive lectures and discussions; group assignment and exercise, and briefing on field preparations

Day 2: Field Training on Coastal Water Quality Assessment (In-situ CTD profiling, seawater sampling using Niskin bottles, and observation of anthropogenic impacts at Tidung Besar & Tidung Kecil Islands).
Topics Covered: Oceanographic field survey protocols; in-situ CTD profiler operations; water sampling techniques; direct field observation of anthropogenic impacts in settlement vs. conservation zones.

Activities: Boat travel to field site by passenger boat; on-site activities using BADA 1 and BADA 2 (training boat) ; hands-on deployment and instrument calibration of CTD profilers; field seawater sampling using Niskin bottles and portable water samplers; field survey observing land-based pollution, tourism impacts, and aquaculture activities.

Day 3: Laboratory Analysis (Nutrient analysis for NO2, NO3, NH3, PO4 using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry) & Data Processing (STORET, WQI, TRIX calculations, and QGIS mapping).

Topics Covered: Standard analytical methods for nutrient analysis (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate); calibration curve evaluation; environmental water quality indexing (STORET, WQI, TRIX Trophic Index); introduction to geospatial data and coordinate systems.

Activities: Wet lab hands-on reagent and sample preparation; operating UV-Vis Spectrophotometry instruments for nutrient measurement; calculating WQI, STORET, and TRIX indices from field/lab data; practical hands-on exercises in QGIS to import GPS coordinates and run spatial interpolation techniques to map ocean parameter distributions.

Day 4: Group Case Study Session (Scientific interpretation, group presentation, post-test, and certificate ceremony).

Topics Covered: Data integration (CTD + Spectrophotometry + QGIS spatial maps); evidence-based reporting; translating technical environmental data into actionable management recommendations for small island sustainability.

Activities: Group-based project preparation; group scientific presentations to a jury panel followed by Q&A; post-test and participant satisfaction survey; jury deliberation, award ceremony (Best Participant & Best Group), and closing.

Day 5: Complementary Activity: Mangrove Conservation (Mangrove ecosystem education and hands-on mangrove planting at TWA Angke).

Topics Covered: Ecosystem-based management; nature-based solutions; ecological roles of mangroves as natural coastal buffers (sediment trapping, pollutant filtering, nutrient cycling, habitat provision).

Activities: Field-based mangrove habitat observation; interactive discussions on ecosystem restoration; hands-on mangrove conservation and tree planting activity.

Target audience and prerequisites 

This training is designed early career ocean professionals with up to five (5) years of professional experience who are engaged in or preparing for careers in coastal and marine environmental monitoring, water quality assessment, marine ecosystem management, and related fields. Typical participants include young professionals from government agencies, research and academic institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other organizations involved in coastal and marine science and management. The course is particularly suited for professionals seeking to strengthen their practical competencies in standardized coastal water quality monitoring, field and laboratory techniques, and evidence-based environmental assessment for sustainable coastal and small island management.

Prerequisites:
•    Basic understanding of coastal and marine ecosystems, environmental science, or water quality principles

Language of instruction

Invited experts from National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), IPB University, Jakarta Mangrove Nature Park (Angke Kapuk), Marine Aquaculture and Conservation Center in Tidung Island, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), IOC, and BlueArc Global.

*Note that names and profiles will be available shortly

Format & Duration

This is an onsite face-to-face training from 2 to 6 November 2026, 08:00–17:00 WIB / GMT+7 daily). Attendance is mandatory for all sessions.

The total duration of the course is of approximately 40 hours.

Organizers

Hosted by the Korea-Indonesia Ocean and Fisheries Technology Cooperation Center (KIOTEC), in co-hosting partnership with BPPSDMKP (Agency for Marine and Fisheries Extension and Human Resources Development, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries), the Coordinating Ministry of Food Affairs, and BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency), with the support of IOC OceanTeacher Global Academy.

Learner assessment & Certificate

• Mandatory pre-test and post-test
• Active engagement in training activities
• Group presentation/case study project

Certificate of Completion issued. Criteria: Full attendance at online and onsite sessions, completion of pre/post-assessments, and submission of mandatory feedback form.

Technology requirements/computer skills

• Laptop computer or mobile device with Windows, Android, or Mac OS.
• Basic computer skills, such as finding resources through search engines and the ability to be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g., following a step-by-step tutorial, online video help, or access to support to learn necessary skills) 

Application & Selection Criteria

This course has a limited number of seats (10 Indonesian, 10 International). Application is open from 17-31 August 2026 (23:59 CEST) and must be submitted through the following application form: https://otga.wufoo.com/forms/m1crdfki0x6f3xq/

Criteria for selection:

1. Academic & Professional Background

Early Career Ocean Professionals with a maximum of five (5) years of work-related experience.

Minimum Education: Holds at least a Bachelor's degree or is a final-semester undergraduate student.

Relevant Academic Field: Degree in Marine Science, Fisheries Science, Oceanography, Environmental Science, Coastal Management, Marine Biology, Aquatic Resource Management, or other closely related disciplines.

2. Institutional Endorsement

Reference/Recommendation Letter: Must be formally nominated or endorsed by their home institution (Government, NGO, research institute, etc.) via a mandatory reference letter.

3. Motivation & Alignment

Motivation Letter: Evaluated based on a clear statement (up to 1,000 words) explaining the applicant's alignment with the course goals, career aspirations, and interest in small island water quality monitoring and sustainability.

List of eligible countries includes: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Laos, Philippines, Vietnam, and Brunei.

Costs and Finantial support:

The course has no tuition fee.

Selected participants will be granted travel and accomodation support by the course organizers.

Note that: VISA support or administrative processing is NOT required, as participants from Southeast Asian (ASEAN/SEA) countries benefit from regional VISA-FREE entry agreements.

Contacts

For additional questions, please contact OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org) always using the name of the course as e-mail subject.

For local matters, please contact the course coordinator Dr. Hansan Park (parkhansan@gmail.com)

Cancellation policy

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.