"ORION" is a LEONARDO DA VINCI Pilot Project which aims to create a  'Virtual' Marine Environment Department which can deliver Open and Distance Learning (ODL) courses in a variety of languages. ORION links university partners situated on the outer fringes of Europe: University of Stockholm in the north; University of Cork in the west; University of Algarve in the south; and is coordinated by the Institute of Marine Biology of Crete, even further to the south. Other partners are the National Centre for Marine Science (Athens), the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (Belgium) and TEREUS S.A. (Athens).

This Newsletter gives more details on the actual progress of the ORION Project and information on how this project is moving forward annd by whom. For more details on the background of ORION, see the first ORION Newsletter.

ORION MEETINGS

The ORION Startup meeting was held in Crete, Greece from 5-7th March 2002 and was hosted by the coordinating partner, the Institute of Marine Biology of Crete. Click here for the detailed agenda of the meeting  and the list of participants..

Important issues identified in the first ORION Meeting

Language Competency Programme

Most partners were new to the language competency programme, and time was used to explain the overall functioning of the programme. In particular, emphasis was placed on the key role of the self-learning language modules, targeted at three of the least widely spoken languages, where  there was nevertheless a high degree of acamedic excellence in the marine sciences. (Please see Powerpoint presentation).

Distributed Network Technology

The role was presented of the Technical partner in developing software appropriate for the developent of share and re-use course materials. Choice of hardware for implementation also very important. (Please see the Powerpoint presentation).

Language learning modules

Online modules for basic language instruction in English, Greek, Portuguese and Swedish. Since this material is intended for use by marine science students, each lesson is situated in a marine environmental context. The aim is to help promote linguistic diversity in language learning.

Role of Resource Repository and supporting glossaries, bibliographies, etc

The terms of the licensing of the AQUALEX glossary, along with the ONEDIN online materials, was also agreed. The NCMR agreed to provide background materials concerning the present legal situation in copyright matters. It was agreed that the base material from the AQUALEX glossary would be circulated to the academic partners for the selection  of the terms and definitions most appropriate for marine pollution. This glossary will not be ready until near the end of the project in 2004.

Selection of course materials for adaptation and inclusion

The courses will be accessible only to registered students from the partner universities. The courses will not be ready  until mid-2003.

1. Age Determination of Marine Fish (English)
2. Larval Rearing (Portuguese)
3. Marine Pollution (Greek)
4. Endocrine disruptive chemicals (Greek)
5. Tropical Ecology (Swedish)
6. Marine Biodiversity (English)
7. Introduction to the Marine Environment (English and Greek)

Partner Agreements

Thesehad previously been prepared and ciculated prior to the meeting. These were fully discussed, agreed and accepted.

Budget delays

Delays to budget agreement were caused by changes in the LEONARDO Greek Agency status. This proved later to be a very important issue, as there were changes as well as delays, and all signed partner agreements had to be amended in order to cover these changes. This has caused quite a serious delay to the start of the project 

Workplan

New timing of Workplan, in conjunction with  revised timing, was agreed.

Dissemination plans

FEAP to use its website housing facilities to edit, disseminate and maintain online Newsletter(s) and accompanying electronic dissemination tools. The importance of the logo was discussed and several suggestions made.

ORION progress

Major decisions were made during the first ORION startup meeting in respect of course selection, selection of glossary terms, licensing of copyright materials, construction and maintenance of website, role of hardware in the constitution of the distributed network, partner agreements and a new timetable for the completion of the workpackages of the project.

ORION People

MARGARET ELEFTHERIOU
is the ORION Project Manager and has extensive educational teaching experience in the UK and Greece at the secondary and tertiary levels. She participated in major curriculum development initiatives in Scotland from 1979 – 1992. Since moving to Greece in 1987, she taught English (ESP Biology) in the Department of Biology, University of Crete. Her involvement as special consultant to the Institute of Marine Biology of Crete led to the preparation of a series of educational training and marine science videos. As the technology developed, she led the development of several acclaimed CD-ROMs,the most important of which were AQUALEX (aquaculture terminology in 4 languages), Basic Techniques in Fish Haematology; Spotlight on Greek Marine Science (English and Greek).

She has been an active member of both SOCRATES Thematic Networks AQUATNET and AFANET, contributing early reports concerning themes such as Mutual Accreditation in Aquaculture, joint editor of White Paper in Education and Training in Aquaculture for the New Millenium and author of several reports on the implementation of the Diploma Supplement, and reviews on the status of the Bologna Process.

She was the driving force behind the creation of one of the first marine science website in Europe, www.imbc.gr , constructed in 1995, now running at 1.7 million hits (2002), adjudicated as the top marine science education site by search engine Lycos in 1998. This website has specialised in making available online to the scientific community abstracts, reports and proceedings to which it holds the copyright or has been granted copyright permission.

For further details on Margaret and her work, follow this link .

COURTNEY HOUGH
graduated from Exeter University (B.Sc. Zoology  with Chemistry) in 1972, gaining his M.Sc. in Biochemistry  from Imperial College, London,  one year later. After starting in scientific research and development, he worked on the international development of aquaculture for 20 years, specialising in project development, market research and economic assessment. Work with Tate & Lyle Agribusiness (UK) resulted in commercial projects in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean.

From 1987-1997, he worked with the Gabriel Group, based in Belgium, being responsible for technical and consultancy services, developing projects in Europe, Latin America and Africa. He has also worked within several projects and consultation exercises for the FAO.

In 1999, he founded Aquadatum, a partnership for aquaculture project and management consultancy, specialising in marketing and communication issues.

Since 1993, he has been General Secretary of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers, a Federation grouping 30 National Aquaculture Associations in Europe. He is currently involved, on behalf of the FEAP, in a number of research and network projects in Europe (e.g. Aquaflow, Maraqua, Aquachallenge), projects on training (with AquaTT) and the PROFET Workshops (organised with AquaTT and the European Aquaculture Society) that are investigating the RTD needs of the European fish farming sector.

In 2001, he led the creation of the innovative and influential AQUAMEDIA initiative, an industry-led effort for public communication by the aquaculture sector. Since its launch, in 2002, the Aquamedia website moved to registering 20,000 visitor sessions per month and now publishes a Newsletter on major aquaculture issues as well as providing information on aquaculture production and technology. Current extensions to AQUAMEDIA include the the provision of an interactive calendar for aquaculture events and the development of a virtual tour of different types of fish farm (AQUATOUR).

For further details on Courtney and his work, follow this link .

EVANGELOS PAPATHANASSIOU 
graduated in 1975 from the University of Athens (B.Sc. in Biology),gaining his Ph.D. in Marine Zoology from the Department of Zoology, University College Swansea, United Kingdom in 1979. His scientific knowledge and experience was put to good use during his military service in the Hellenic Navy, when he was able to participate in four oceanographic expeditions.
Since 1981, he has been engaged in research activities in the National Centre for Marine Research in Athens, specialising in marine pollution, writing many scientific papers and organising many conferences and workshops. From his initial appointment as a resarch scientist,  he achieved the position of Director of the NCMR Institute of Oceanography in 2003.  From 1996-1999, he was seconded to the European Environment Agency. Project Manager for Marine and Coastal Environment in EEA.