Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

International Antarctic Institute  (IAI)

Outline
The International Antarctic Institute (IAI) will be a multi-campus and multi-disciplinary educational body comprising a consortium of participating institutions. The IAI will offer an Antarctic educational program which will encourage and facilitate the cross-crediting of Antarctic related courses or units. This institute will facilitate student and faculty exchange and be a vehicle to draw upon the strengths of each participating institution.The opportunity exists to establish this international educational structure, bringing together national academic institutes and build on decades of international cooperation. The development of such an infrastructure is timely as we approach the International Polar Year.In several countries, distinctive university programs in Antarctic Studies and Research are already being offered. Many institutions offer units at the undergraduate level as well as postgraduate level. We propose a multidisciplinary educational program both at the graduate and undergraduate level. Our aim will be to cross-credit study programs, develop joint curricula, provide cross-accreditation for teaching and share educational, human and other resources and facilities. All the international partners would be engaged in Antarctic and Southern Ocean research, and where possible, programs would be conducted in the context of a research environment. The International Antarctic Institute will provide the opportunity to offer jointly accredited degrees up to, and including taught Masters. Pathways through the matrix of awards, courses and subjects assembled will be facilitated by this international institute through its cross-crediting arrangements, monitored by an Academic Committee. The IAI will play a major role in formalising these pathways. The IAI is not a research program and hence does not directly address IPY themes, but does specifically address the IPY ‘Education/Outreach and Communication’ target. The IAI will built links with IPY projects and activities and will use IPY to promote and build a legacy for Antarctic education into the future.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
One of the main aims of the IPY is to ‘educate and involve the public, and to help train the next generation of engineers, scientists, social scientists, and leaders’. The IAI will have similar educational aims and will greatly benefit from being involved in the IPY program. Together we could initiate a new era in Antarctic education.Both the IAI and the IPY share common responses to several questions. Why establish the IAI/IPY?• To accelerate advances in knowledge and understanding • To leave a legacy to support ongoing advances in the future• To enhance international cooperation and coordination to achieve the aboveWhy at the international level?• Polar processes extend across national boundaries• Science challenges exceed the capability of any one nation• Coordinated approach maximizes outcomes and cost-effectiveness• International collaboration shares benefits and builds relationships

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The IAI will have partners/participants representing approximately 19 institutions from 12 countries, with programs in Antarctic education and/or Antarctic research.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
As a priority the IAI will identify possible areas of student access to Antarctic logistic facilities and also to island and continental field sites.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: TBC            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Ideally we would like students to be involved as much as possible in Antarctic research activities particularly during IPY. This could include projects linking students with field research through live web links, and ideally the opportunity for students to participate in some field activity. We are exploring options for student participation in field activities such as to piggy back on existing programs, guests on tourist operations, the use of sub Antarctic island stations etc.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The IAI would be established and continue beyond the IPY. The IAI will leave a legacy to support ongoing advances in Antarctic education and research.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The establishment of the IAI has been endorsed in principle by all participants from the international institutions involved in the IAI meeting 6-7th November 2004 in Hobart; see attached delegate list, meeting agenda and meeting report. (here we would add that this proposal has been endorsed by the Australia (ANCAR-IPY) and other national IPY bodies-(specified here))

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
yes

This is a new venture, the establishment of the IAI will be in the IPY time frame. The secretariat will be initially based at the University of Tasmania during the duration of the IPY. This secretariat may then rotate between the partner educational institutions or remain in Hobart. The long term structure of the secretariat is under consideration.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Subject to further discussion it is envisaged that the IAI would be organised and managed using the following framework:The Council of Members is the group of IAI universities. Each university would be a member of this primary decision making body. The Academic Council would oversee all academic matters including the planning of courses and the enrolment and supervision of students. The Secretariat comprises a director, secretary and project officer. It will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the institute, publicity and promotion and the identification of funding opportunities. It is envisaged that the secretariat may rotate between member institutions.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
As outlined above in 1.6 the establishment of the IAI will address one of the main aims of the IPY education and outreach program, that is ‘to help train the next generation of engineers, scientists, and leaders’. The IAI will advance knowledge and understanding of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, leave a legacy to support ongoing advances in the future, and enhance international cooperation and coordination to achieve the above.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The establishment of the IAI interim secretariat has been approved by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Tasmania. Funding for a director, a project officer and a web development/support officer has been established. Member institutions will fund their own courses and student exchanges will be funded by scholarships and national programs. In the north, the University of the Arctic has been proposed as having a key role in the IPY education and outreach program. The IAI could have a similar role in the Antarctic. Together these institutes, covering both polar areas and the various research disciplines, could work towards fulfilling some of the specific objectives of the education and outreach program.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Associate Professor Andrew McMinn
Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies
Private Bag 77, Hobart, Tasmania
7001
Australia

Tel: 61 3 62262980
Mobile: 429622912
Fax: 61 3 62262973
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation