Upon completion of the workshop, learners will be able to:

• Apply internationally recognised definitions, baselines, thresholds and metrics to identify marine heatwave events and describe their intensity, duration and severity.
• Explain the main physical drivers of marine heatwaves, including atmospheric forcing, ocean processes and water column structure, and recognise how their influence differs across regions.
• Explain how coupled and regional Earth system models are used to predict marine heatwaves, and recognise the strengths and limitations of AI-based forecasting tools, including the checks needed before they are used in a new region.
• Explain how marine heatwaves and interacting stressors affect coral reefs, fish, fisheries, aquaculture and coastal livelihoods, drawing on regional cases such as the 2023 Red Sea events, and contribute to field assessments of coral bleaching and recovery.
• Identify how climate change, marine heatwaves and other drivers can favour harmful algal blooms, link the main algal toxins to their health risks, and contribute to monitoring, risk assessment and response plans that protect seafood safety and public health.
• Inspect satellite and in-situ data and metadata, generate and interpret SST anomaly and MHW products, apply matching quality-control flags, collocate Argo and gridded SST observations, and report results with appropriate limitations.
• Use evidence and early-warning signals of marine heatwaves to outline management responses for fisheries and sensitive habitats, such as temporary closures, reduced local pressures and restoration.

Course content 

Module 1. Understanding Marine Heatwaves: Definitions, Metrics and Physical Drivers (Day 1)

• Definition, metrics and classification of marine heatwaves
• Regional drivers and physical processes

Module 2. Introduction to Earth System Modelling and AI-Based Prediction (Days 1 and 2)

• Introduction to coupled ocean and atmosphere models
• Approaches to high-resolution marine heatwave prediction
• Neural network architectures for forecasting, with a hands-on anomaly and event prediction exercise

Module 3. Ecological and Socioeconomic Impacts of Marine Heatwaves (Day 3)

• Field trip hosted by NIOF
• Ecological and socioeconomic impacts of recent environmental changes on marine and coastal ecosystems
• Harmful algal blooms and seafood safety

Module 4. Satellite Monitoring of Marine Heatwaves (Day 4)

• Accessing and processing satellite datasets
• Generating SST anomaly maps
• Near-real-time detection workflows
• Practical exercise

Module 5. In Situ Observations and Data Integration (Day 5)

• Overview of observation platforms
• Data quality control and calibration
• Data Integration and Validation
• Hands-on exercise and exchange

Module 6. From Science to Action: Management Responses and Way Forward (Day 6)

• Marine heatwaves and fisheries: impacts and management responses
• Early-warning responses for sensitive habitats
• Final exam
• Gaps and needs assessment and way forward

Target audience and prerequisites

Mid and top-career scientists from IOCAFRICA member states adjacent to the Mediterranean and Red Sea basins. Applications from other IOCAFRICA member states will be considered on a special basis, and subject to availability of slot.

Language of instruction: English

Instructors

Prof. Suzan M. El-Gharabawy 

Prof. Yang Gao 

Dr Shimaa Hosny Ali Hassan

Dr Noha Elebiary

Dr. Hussien Maiyza

Xiuwen Guo

Format & Duration

This course is face-to-face with synchrounous onsite continuous activities for 6 days, with a total of 36 hours.

Organizers

This course is organized by National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO through the IOC Sub Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA) in collaboration with the Decade Capacity Development Facility and the OceanTeacher Global Academy.

Assessment & Certificate

This course has theoretical and practical tests.

To receive a Certificate of Completion, for each part of the training course, participants shall: 

• Fully attend to the in-person sessions
• Engage and complete every proposed training activity
• Successfully complete the tests
• Complete the mandatory pre- and post-assessment.
• Submit the required feedback form is mandatory. 

Technology requirements/computer skills and pre-requisites

To follow this course, participants shall have:

• Access to a notebook computer/laptop, and should bring it to the course;
• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari web browsers, with JavaScript and cookies enabled;
• Broadband internet access (minimum bandwidth of 0.5 Mbps (Receive and Send)
• Audio speakers or headphones
• 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) 
• Good knowledge of computer use. The satellite and in situ exercises use NASA Panoply, which requires Java 11 or later, with Python notebooks provided as an alternative. Data manipulation using Python, R or MATLAB is desirable.

Application & Selection criteria

Application was managed by IOCAFRICA through their digital platforms, and was open from 19 May to 9 June 2026.

Participants were asked to submit a motivation letter, their resume and recommendation from their employer. This enabled us to assess the relevance and importance of the course to their routine work and institution / country. We also assessed the gender of the applicants, country they are domiciled in, and challenges they wish to address in the short and long term.

Approximately 26 seat were available for participation.

UNESCO is committed to promoting equal access principles. Registration from minority or underrepresented groups is strongly encouraged.

Costs

This course has no tuition fees.

Finantial support is available for the participants.

Contacts

For additional questions, please contact the course coordinators Prof. Suzan M. El-Gharabawy (suzymooo@yahoo.com) and John Ngatia (Jn.ndarathi@unesco.org ), or OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org) always using the name of the course as e-mail subject.

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.