COMRA Training Programmes

The manual application forms for training have been phased out. All applications should be completed using the web form. Applicants are required to use the online portal to submit applications together with a copy of your passport photo, the signed nomination form indicating preference for either the geological or environmental programme, degree/certificate and résumé.

 

2020 CLOSED

China Ocean Mineral Resources R & D Association (COMRA), in accordance with its contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules signed on 22 May 2001 and extended 22 May 2016 with the Authority, is offering ten (10) training opportunities for candidates from developing States.

The two training programmes are divided as follows:

  1. Fellowship training programme - three (3) placements;
     
  2. Engineering training programme
    1. Mining engineering - four (4) placements and;
    2. Processing engineering training – three (3) placements.

1)  Fellowship Training Programe

COMRA is offering three (3) fellowship training opportunities in Qingdao, China from the middle of October 2020 to January 2021 for candidates from developing States.

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

  1. Education: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in geophysics, biology or environment;
  2. Language: a sound knowledge of English attested by a certificate;
  3. Age: must be under 45 years of age;
  4. Health: good physical and mental health with a certificate of medical examination;
  5. Other: possess certain marine management or scientific research ability.

2)  Engineering Training Programme

COMRA is offering four (4) mining engineering training opportunities and three (3) processing engineering training opportunities in Changsha (or Qingdao), China from the middle of October to November 2020 for candidates from developing States.

      Candidates must meet the following requirements:

  1. Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mining engineering or mechanical engineering for the mining engineering programme; and Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in processing engineering for the processing engineering programme;
  2. Language: a sound knowledge of English attested by a certificate;
  3. Age: must be under 45 years of age;
  4. Health: good physical and mental health with a certificate of medical examination;
  5. Other: possess certain marine management or scientific research ability).

COMRA will cover the relevant costs for the trainees including: international airfares (round-trip tickets, economy class); accommodation and meals; tuition fees and medical insurance.

All selected trainees must sign a confidentiality agreement with COMRA and submit reports on the outcome of their training to COMRA and the Authority.

Applications should be submitted by email, in one of the official languages of the International Seabed Authority to training@isa.org.jm  by the 24 April 2020 deadline.

Applications must be accompanied by:

a)    Application forms 
b)    Nomination forms Fellowship (docx | pdf); Mining Engineering (docx | pdf); Processing Engineering (docx | pdf)  to be completed by the institution or governmental department; 
c)    Copy of certificate of degree;
d)    Proof of sufficient knowledge of English

e)    Copy of CV or Résumé

One of the Voluntary Commitments made by the ISA at the UN Ocean Conference 2017 was "Enhancing the role of women in marine scientific research through capacity building" - we therefore strongly encourage suitably qualified females to apply for these training opportunities.

ISSUED 27 MARCH 2020

2020  NEW

China Ocean Mineral Resources R & D Association (COMRA), in accordance with its contract for exploration for polymetallic sulphides signed with the Authority on 18 November 2011, is offering four (4) training opportunities for candidates from developing States.

The two training programmes are divided as follows:

  1. Fellowship training programme - two (2) placements;
  2. Engineering training programme – two (2) placements.

1).  Fellowship Training Programe

COMRA is offering two (2) fellowship training opportunities in Qingdao, China from the middle of October 2020 to January 2021 for candidates from developing States.

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

  1. Education: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in geology, geophysics, biology or environment;
  2. Language: a sound knowledge of English attested by a certificate;
  3. Age: must be under 45 years of age;
  4. Health: good physical and mental health with a certificate of medical examination;
  5. Other: possess certain marine management or scientific research ability.

2).  Engineering Training Programme

COMRA is offering two (2) engineering training opportunities in Changsha (or Qingdao), China from the middle of October to November 2020 for candidates from developing States.

   Candidates must meet the following requirements:

  1. Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in marine engineering, mining engineering, mechanical engineering or electrical engineering;
  2. Language: a sound knowledge of English attested by a certificate;
  3. Age: must be under 45 years of age;
  4. Health: good physical and mental health with a certificate of medical examination;
  5. Other: possess certain marine management or scientific research ability).

COMRA will cover the relevant costs for the trainees including: international airfares (round-trip tickets, economy class); accommodation and meals; tuition fees and medical insurance.

All selected trainees must sign a confidentiality agreement with COMRA and submit reports on the outcome of their training to COMRA and the Authority.

Applications should be submitted by email, in one of the official languages of the International Seabed Authority to training@isa.org.jm  by the 24 April 2020 deadline.

Applications must be accompanied by:

a)    Application forms 
b)    Nomination forms Fellowship (docx | pdf); Engineering (docx | pdf);  to be completed by the institution or governmental department; 
c)    Copy of certificate of degree;
d)    Proof of sufficient knowledge of English
e)    Copy of CV or Résumé

One of the Voluntary Commitments made by the ISA at the UN Ocean Conference 2017 was "Enhancing the role of women in marine scientific research through capacity building" - we therefore strongly encourage suitably qualified females to apply for these training opportunities.

ISSUED 30 MARCH 2020

2019 (At-Sea Training Programme)  CLOSED

 30 November 2018 :  The following candidates have been selected: 

Rank Name Gender Country
 

GEOLOGY CANDIDATES

    
1   Alana A Mina      F  Argentina
2   Win M Than        M  Myanmar
3   Tomas Helle Pessot     M  Chile
4   Keanu Jershon Sarmiento     M  Philippines
R1   Fabricio G Cardillo     M  Argentina
R2   Tin N Tun     M  Myanmar
 

BIOLOGY CANDIDATES

    
    1   Josephine Njeru     F  Kenya
    2   Syntyche B Haruna     F  Nigeria
   R1   Mohamed F Nour Eldeen     M  Egypt
   R2   Olayemi Kassim     F  Nigeria
   R3   Oluwakemi Adejumobi     F  Nigeria
   R4   Taiwo Oluboba     F  Nigeria

China Ocean Mineral Resources R & D Association (COMRA), in accordance with its contract for exploration for polymetallic sulphides signed with the Authority on 18 November 2011, is offering six (6) at-sea training places to candidates from developing States. Four (4) candidates with geological/geophysical background and two (2) with biological/ environmental background will be selected.

The exploration cruise is schedule to take place on board R/V Dayang Yihao from February to May 2019 for approximately 30 days in COMRA’s contract area in the southwest Indian Ridge. The training will focus on the survey of mineral resources and environmental baseline. The main content of the programme will include geological and biological sampling, geophysical survey and the collection of environmental baseline data.

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

  1. Education: Bachelor degree (or higher) in geology, geophysics, biology, other relevant ocean sciences or an equivalent educational background;

  2. Language: a sound knowledge of English attested by a certificate;

  3. Health: good physical and mental health, suitable to work at sea;

  4. Age: must be under 45 years of age;

  5. Recommended: seagoing experience (seaworthy)

If selected, trainees will be required to submit a physical examination report signed by a licensed physician, stating that the trainee is physically and mentally fit to participate in the at-sea training.

All trainees must sign a confidentiality agreement with COMRA and submit reports on the outcome of their training to COMRA and the Authority. Trainees, upon completion of their training will receive certificate from COMRA.

COMRA will cover the relevant costs for the trainees including: international airfares (round-trip tickets, economy class); Accommodation and meals on board; allowance; and medical insurance.

One of the Voluntary Commitments made by the ISA at the UN Ocean Conference 2017 was "Enhancing the role of women in marine scientific research through capacity building"(#OceanAction15467). We therefore strongly encourage suitably qualified women to apply for these training opportunities.

Applications should be submitted by email, in one of the official languages of the International Seabed Authority to training@isa.org.jm  by the 19 September 2018 deadline either through:

  • the online training portal.  Users applying through the online portal (see above), must remember to upload a copy of a passport photo, the signed nomination form indicating preference for either the geological or biological programme, degree/certificate and résumé;     OR

  • via email, in one of the official languages of the Authority, to training@isa.org.jm using the forms below.

Applications must be accompanied by:

a)    Application form to be completed by the applicant;
b)    Nomination form (docx | pdf) to be completed by the institution or governmental department; 
c)    Copy of certificate of degree;
d)    Proof of sufficient knowledge of English
e)    Copy of CV or Résumé


ISSUED 14 AUGUST 2018

UPDATE :(10 April 2010) The following candidates have been selected:

2018  CLOSED   

China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA) in accordance with its Contract for exploration for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts signed with the Authority on  29 April 2014, is offering two (2) training positions to candidates from developing States to participate in an engineering programme in  either Beijing or Changsha, China.

NAME GENDER COUNTRY
First Ranked    
1. Karla Tituana Baren Female                 Ecuador                 
2. Koffi Vossah Messan Male Cameroon
Alternates    
1. Adebayo Adebusuyi Longe Male Nigeria
2. Chinedu Okweze Male Nigeria

The training will be for a duration of one (1) month and is scheduled to commence during the second half of 2018. 

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

  1. Education: Bachelor degree (or higher) in mineral processing or mining engineering.  

  2. Language: proof of good verbal and written English

  3. Health: proof of being in good health

  4. Age: under 45 years of age

  5. Other: proof of some capability of performing scientific research or marine management.

COMRA will cover the following costs: international round-trip (economy class), local transportation meals and accommodation during the training in China.  

Trainees selected for the programme shall sign a confidentiality agreement with COMRA. 

One of the Voluntary Commitments made by the ISA at the UN Ocean Conference 2017 was Enhancing the role of women in marine scientific research through capacity building and the ISA therefore strongly encourages suitably qualified females to apply for these training opportunities.

Applications should be submitted by email, in one of the official languages of the International Seabed Authority to training@isa.org.jm by the 28 February 2018 deadline using the following forms:

Application form  to be completed by the applicant;

Nomination form ( docx | pdf )  to be completed by the institution or governmental department.

 

ISSUED 22 DECEMBER 2017

UPDATE 1 August 2017  

The following candidates have been selected for the 2017 training positions:

  1. Md. Bazlar Rashid (Bangladesh)
  2. Mariana Benites (Brazil)
  3. Gor Gevorgyan (Armenia)

Alternates

  1. Solomon Felix Dan (Nigeria)
  2. Rasaq Haruna (Nigeria)
  3. Sihem Akli (Algeria)

2017   CLOSED     

The China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA) is offering three (3) training positions to candidates from developing countries. The training will be for a duration of three (3) months and is scheduled to commence in September 2017.  The candidates will receive comprehensive training in the fields of:

  • Geo-oceanography, 
  • Biology and, 
  • Environment.

The training will take place at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou city, the capital city of Guangdong province. It will be conducted by the Guangzhou Bureau of Marine Geological Survey, a key member of COMRA.  

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

  1. Education: Bachelor degree in geology, geo-physics, marine environment (including biology and ecology) or equivalent.
  2. Language: sufficient knowledge of English
  3. Health: proof of being in good health
  4. Age: under 45 years of age
  5. Other: proof of some capability of performing some research and management.

COMRA will cover the cost of an international round-trip economy class airfare ♦ transportation to and from the airport ♦ meals and accommodation during the training in China ♦ and costs for the courses and field trip.

Applications should be submitted by email in one of the official languages of the International Seabed Authority to training@isa.org.jm  by 31 March 2017 deadline.

Applications must be accompanied by:

a)    Application form to be completed by the applicant;
b)    Nomination form (docx | pdf) to be completed by the institution or governmental department; 
c)    Certificate of degree;
d)    Proof of sufficient knowledge of English.

Issue date: 3 March 2017

COMRA At-Sea Training Programme | July-Sept 2016

UPDATE [15 March 2016]

Group A - Geological survey 
First-ranked candidates : Mr. Noah Awuntigi (Ghana), Mr. Johnmark Isarua Homu (Papua New Guinea)
Alternates: 1. Ms. Sutharat Srirod (Thailand); 2. Mr. Batbayar Batkhuu (Mongolia); 3. Mr. Bamidele Samuel Oresajo (Nigeria); 4. Mr. Inkiba Batoko Arséne  (D.R. Congo); 5. Mr. Thet Naing Win (Myanmar); 6. Mr. Jeff Baya Nshimba (D.R. Congo); 7. Ms. Martine Joseph (Haiti)

Group B - Environmental survey
First-ranked candidates : Mr. Fidele Kouilga Yameogo  (Burkina Faso); Ms. Alanna Smith (Cook Islands)
Alternates: 1. Mr. Gor Gevorgyan (Armenia); 2. Mr. Naftaly Nyakundi (Kenya); 3. Mr. Christopher Esquea (Dominica Republic); 4. Mr. Tiago Maximiano (Brazil); 5. Ms. Nadine Fatou Quattara (Burkina Faso); 6. Mr. Jhonsley Eurica Romain (Haiti); 

Group C - Geophysical survey
First-ranked candidate : Ms. Elizabeth A. Pérez González (Mexico)
Alternates: 1. Mr. Mohamed Moawed Abou-Mahmoud (Egypt); 2. Mr. Newdeskarl Saint Fleur (Haiti); 3. Ms. Ana Clara Coni Mello (Brazil); 4. Mr. Mike Ken (Papua New Guinea); 5. Mr. Django Mady Coulibaly (Mali)

* ---------------------------- *

COMRA is offering 5 places in its At-Sea Training Programme to candidates from developing countries. The five trainees will be attached to the Hai Yang Liu Hao research vessel and will be dividied into three groups - 2 trainees will undertake geological survey methods and samples processing technology, 2 doing environmental survey methods and samples processing technology, and 1 doing geophysical survey methods. COMRA will provide travel, accommodation and medical insurance costs. Members of the Authority are invited to nominate qualified candidates, who must be from developing countries. 

  • Deadline for Applications: 31 December 2015
  • Application Form 
  • Nomination Form  docx | pdf

COMRA On-Land Training Programmes in 2015 [CLOSED]

On-Land training programmes will entail providing training opportunities for four trainees in 2015. Two trainees from developing states will be trained in a fellowship programme (5 months March-July 2015) and a further two will be trained in an engineering programme (6 weeks March-April 2015).

Detailed On-Land Programme
​- Application Form:
- Nomination Form: docx | pdf

First Ranked Candidates - Fellowship Training Programme [25 February 2015]:

  1. Mr. Reinier Giralt Ortega (Cuba)
  2. Mr. Taufan Wiguna (Indonesia)

Other Alternate Candidates

  1. First Alternate: Ms. Natalia Amezcua Torres (Mexico)
  2. Mr. Victor Lopes (Brazil)
  3. Mr. Md. Minhaj Monir (Bangladesh)
  4. Mr. Mohamed AlyElsayedAly Hassan (Egypt)

First Ranked Candidates - Engineering Training Programme [25 February 2015]:

  1. Ms. Natia Chomakhidze (Georgia)
  2. Mr. Prithivi Dass Bissessur (Mauritius)

Alternate Candidates

  1. First alternate: Mr. Andriharizafy Rantosoa (Madagascar)
  2. Mr. Dramane Traore (Mali)
  3. Mr. Tris Handoyo (Indonesia)
  4. Mr. Chinedu Okweze (Nigeria)
  5. Mr. Mohammad Hossain Mahtab (Bangladesh)
  6. Mr. Afif Widaryanto (Indonesia

At-Sea training programme from January to March 2014. COMRA will provide training opportunities for four scientists - in two groups, two per group) onboard its upcoming 30th exploration cruise, on Legs 2 or 3.
[Detailed at-sea programme]

Selected Candidates [17 July 2013]:

  1. Dieudonne Tchokona Seuwui (Cameroon)
  2. Gerald Mwila (Zambia)
  3. Tearinaki Tanielu (Kiribati)
  4. Analia Veronica Serra (Argentina)

Alternate Candidates
[should any of the above candidates be unable to participate]:

  1. Apichai Kanchanapant (Thailand)
  2. Tiena Rongo (Cook Islands)
  3. Apitida Wasuwatcharapong (Thailand)
  4. Robert Kibiwot (Kenya)