The International Antarctic Institute (IAI) is a global consortium of universities and agencies that provide university-level education and conduct research in Antarctica.
The IAI offers international opportunities in Antarctic undergraduate and postgraduate multi-disciplinary education by sharing teaching resources between international partner universities. We are also developing new and innovative Antarctic courses and pathways between degrees to encourage student and staff mobility.
New publication available on sustainable Antarctic tourism
The Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (STCRC) have just announced the publication of Australian Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Tourism – Towards a Sustainable Industry. Based on STCRC and UTAS research, the report explores the role of wildlife tourism and the vulnerability and resilience of selected Antarctic and sub-Antarctic wildlife. It summarises statistics, key findings and recommendations from eight individual research reports in an easily accessible format. The report can be downloaded at no cost through the STCRC website. Hard copies are also available upon request.
Photo: J. Jabour
What Happens at the Poles Affects Us All
The ‘official’ IPY research period may have ended, but the most exciting part is just beginning. Researchers are starting to fit the pieces of the puzzle together as data gathered during recent field studies are analysed and synthesised. Keep posted about the latest science results and educational opportunities through the IPY website.
Also, mark your calendars for the next International Polar Week (October 5-9, 2009) – ‘What Happens at the Poles Affects Us All.’ This polar week will include programs such as live web and video conference events, where students can talk directly to researchers in the field, and will highlight educational activities developed for the new IPY Polar Resource Book.
News
- 26th June 2009Short courses offered at the University of Tasmania
- The University of Tasmania is offering two advanced 2-week short courses in August and September 2009. The courses are part of the Masters of Antarctic Science in Polar Marine Biology, but they are also open to other IAI students from partner universities. 17 August Advanced Phytoplankton Methods: Deals with innovations in phytoplankton and productivity research including fluorometry (PAM and FRRF), SEM, HPLC, Flow cytometry and hyperspectral radiometry. 29 September Integrated Marine Management and Conservation of Antarctica: This unit will examine scientific advice being provided to managers on Antarctic conservation issues. It is focused on natural resource management, environmental protection, integrated processes, and research and policy development. If you are interested in enrolling in either of these units please contact Margaret Hazelwood.
- 14th May 2009Australia-Chile student research exchange
- Two University of Tasmania Masters students, Alex Piekutowski and Robert Johnson, will travel to Punta Arenas in Chile on 16 May 2009 and two students from Universidad de Magallanes, Chile, will come to University of Tasmania later in the year. The exchange is part of an IAI education initiative that includes a field program enabling students to carry out research and study on the Antarctic continent, sub-Antarctic islands or as part of Southern Ocean oceanographic research expeditions. Alex Piekutowski’s research will include an assessment of settlement and colonisation of benthic organisms in the harbour of Punta Arenas, while Robert Johnson will undertake spatial and geographical research associated with Alex ’s research. The exchange program is funded by the Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR) through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
- 12th February 2009New Masters unit from Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer
- A one semester unit on the Ecology and Biogeochemistry of the Southern Ocean is now offered by the Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer at the Université de Bretagne Occidentale in France. Designed for 1st year Master's students in Marine Biology and Marine Chemistry, the course will give students a comprehensive understanding of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, with a focus on the ecology and biogeochemistry of regions around the subantarctic islands. The course runs from March to May 2009. Contact Dr Eva Bucciarelli for more information.
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