The general objective of the thematic school ASIAME is to bring together during two weeks young microbial ecologists (students and scientists) from South and South-East Asia that are focusing on marine ecosystems.  The school will cover  fundamental (biogeochemical cycles, biodiversity, environment) and applied (aquaculture, marine biotechnology) aspects. The format of the school includes communication, hands-on training, data analysis, preparation of research projects with the aim to create networks and foster future collaborations.

ASIAME 2 is a follow up of the first ASIAME course which was held in Vietnam in 2013.  ASIAME 2 fits in the context of the future "National Institute of Marine Biology" in Goa (India), in collaboration with CNRS and the university Pierre et Marie Curie (see below). ASIAME 2 will be conducted by 19 lecturers (10 from India, 6 from France, 1 from Philippines, 1 from UK, 1 from USA).  It will be open to 16 young Indian researchers, 7 from other countries from south-east Asia and 2 from France. Fellowships will be provided to students to cover all their expenses (registration, travel, accomodation and meals).

Organizing committee: Y. Bettarel (IRD, Montpellier), P. Bhadury (IISER, Kolkatta), T. Bouvier (CNRS, Montpellier), C. Bowler (CNRS, Paris), R. Kirubagaran (NIOT, Chennai), H. Moreau (CNRS, Banyuls), S. Rajamani (IISER, Pune), V. K. Sharma (IISER Bhopal), D. Vaulot (CNRS, Roscoff), N.V. Vinithkumar (Officer-In-Charge, ANCOST, NIOT, Port-Blair).

For any contact:

India: Dr. N. V. Vinithkumar, Scientist-E, Officer-In-Charge, Andaman and Nicobar Centre for Ocean Science and Technology, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Dollygunj, Port Blair - 744103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Phone: +91 (0) 3192 225083/95, Email: vinith@niot.res.in

France: Dr H Moreau, Director of Research CNRS, Oceanological Observatory of Banyuls (OOB), 1 avenue de Fonatule, 66650, Banyuls sur mer, France. Phone: +33 468.887.309, Email: herve.moreau@obs-banyuls.fr

This 2nd South and South East Asia-India thematic school in Aquatic Microbial Ecology (ASIAME 2) will take place over two weeks at the field unit of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), namely, Andaman and Nicobar Centre for Ocean Science and Technology (ANCOST) located in Port Blair on the Andaman islands.

The NIOT has a long tradition of research in ocean engineering and oceanography in India. Its vision is to generate and disseminate scientific knowledge and technologies in marine and maritime researches for sustainable utilization and management of the marine environment, i.e. clearly fitting the ASIAME 2 objectives. ANCOST is perfectly adapted for ASIAME 2 thematic school. It has a conference room, several class and computer rooms, laboratories equipped for microbiology and molecular researches, boats, and student housing and scientific lodge for 30 persons. ANCOST is also ideally located with easy access to the Andaman Sea with mangroves, coral reefs, sand and rocky shores nearby.

View from the NIOT laboratory