Next month two of the world’s major marine and maritime conferences are joining forces and will be coming together for the very first time. OCEANS ’07 IEEE Aberdeen and EurOCEAN 2007 will be held in Aberdeen from June 18-22 2007, and preparations for these two prestigious marine events are now reaching fever-pitch.
The conferences will be held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre and this will be the first time ever that these meetings have been hosted in the UK.
Over 400 technical papers and student posters have been selected for Oceans '07 IEEE Aberdeen. Delegates are attending from more than 35 counties, including Argentina, North America, Venezuela, Russia, Malaysia, Asia, Australasia and from across Europe.
The conferences will bring the worldwide marine community of scientists, engineers, and technologists together with policy makers, managers and educators, in an easy and informed discussion. The co-location of these two major conferences will ensure that Aberdeen will be the focus for the largest ever gathering in Europe of the marine community.
Professor John Watson, of the University of Aberdeen and Chair of Oceans '07 said: "Oceans' 07 Aberdeen will highlight the significant challenges that face our marine and oceanic engineers and will also show the diversity and range of work covered by all fields within ocean engineering.
"There is a close interaction with the international oil and gas industry, including sponsored research and studentships, consultancy, and student sponsorship.
"The fact that Oceans '07 Aberdeen and EurOCEAN should come together is testament to the global interest and importance of marine and maritime affairs, and their impact on all our lives."
The programmes for the two meetings complement and contrast each other - the Oceans '07 IEEE Aberdeen programme is traditionally the main focus for the marine science, engineering and technology community to discuss the latest marine challenges, trends and developments. It is run under the auspices of The Oceanic Engineering Society of IEEE (a global professional society). In contrast, EurOCEAN, hosted by the European Commission, will provide the science community with a forum on how marine and maritime science can contribute to maritime policy.
The theme of Oceans '07 Aberdeen, "Marine Challenges: Coastline to Deep Sea", highlights the significant challenges - from the shallowest waters around our coasts to the deepest subsea trenches - which face marine and oceanic engineers in our drive to understand the complexities of the world's oceans and our ability to utilise, explore and preserve this unique environment.
The theme of EurOCEAN 2007 will be a consultation, discussion, and analysis of the European Commission's recently published Green Paper on a Maritime Policy for the European Union, which was published on 7 June 2006. This launched a consultation process that will last until the end of June 2007.
Professor Albert Rodger, Vice-Principal & Head of the College of Physical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen, said: "I am delighted that the University of Aberdeen is associated with this year's prestigious Oceans Conference and Exhibition which demonstrates our strong commitment to and support for, the oceans and maritime science and engineering business.
"Aberdeen has a long and distinguished history of involvement in maritime affairs stretching back a thousand years or more through exploration, shipbuilding, fishing and science and engineering to its position now as the 'oil and gas capital of Europe'.
"Participating in major events such as Oceans '07 is extremely important to us in providing an opportunity for our leading academics to further develop our strong engagement with key players in this rapidly changing industry.
"I hope that all delegates attending will leave Aberdeen with a very clear idea of the high quality research taking place here at the University and the importance of marine energy to Aberdeen and Scotland."
Both OCEANS '07 IEEE Aberdeen and EurOCEAN 2007 are inviting the world's marine policy makers, ocean scientists, subsea engineers, and technologists to come to Aberdeen, Scotland from June 18-22 2007, to discuss the challenges and policy for the future of the marine environment. The two meetings will be crucial in developing research and development and policy and strategy around the world for the next decade.