The one-week bootcamp organised as one of the study units in the M.Sc course in Applied Oceanography is a unique on the field practical that all students keep at heart and remember as a remarkable experience in their lifetime as a student at the University. This year Dr Adam Gauci, one of the resident academics within the Physical Oceanography Research Group that runs this course and one of the mentors at the bootcamp, has captured in a short video those special moments that made the bootcamp a memorable one again this year.

This study-unit is intended to bring the students together in a live-in experience giving them the opportunity to participate in a hands-on approach with basic observations at sea, use of marine equipment, data analysis and assessments. The academic work features sessions of lectures, fieldwork, group discussions and lab work, conducted over the five days.

Meet the lively students getting their hands wet doing measurements at sea at Mgarr ix-Xini, Gozo, the chosen marine area this year.

Learning by doing is also practicing teamwork, collecting and sharing data, and doing assessments together through exchange of ideas like in the professional arena. This is how students are trained to bring out their best in a team effort where skills are brought together to treat research challenges in a coherent and effective manner.

Special thanks for the success of the bootcamp go to the rest of the academics and staff involved in this study unit, especially Dr Anthony Galea who also mentored the students during the week, Prof. Alan Deidun for the marine biology component, Audrey Zammit and Raisa Galea DeGiovanni as support staff, and Prof. Aldo Drago as coordinator of the effort and course.

Building the marine professionals of tomorrow. Is it going to be your turn next time? You can apply to join the course that opens again next October.