The past few years have seen an increase in the number of opportunities for international exchanges and sea-going opportunities in sea floor mapping. The Nippon Foundation/GEBCO (The General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans) training brings together an international cohort to the University of New Hampshire (UNH), USA, each year for an intensive Graduate Certificate Program in Ocean Mapping.

Examples of relatively new programs include the IHO (International Hydrographic Organization) "Empowering Women in Hydrography" program, that aims to increase women in hydrography and expand the global network. Several Nippon Foundation/GEBCO scholars and alumni have participated in NOAA’s Women in Hydrography program (3 in 2023, 1 in 2022), SHOM’s Women in Hydrography Program (2 in 2024), NOAA Student Cruises (1 in 2023).

Student testimonies will be presented, including the international perspectives of Sara Cardigos (Portugal Azores) and Fahima Bellabad (Algeria), Nippon Foundation/GEBCO Training Program students selected to go onboard of the SHOM hydrographic vessels (French Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service) - recognizing that their unique education and international background played a major role in being selected. Less formal opportunities have also arisen, particularly through the networks being created, former Nippon Foundation/GEBCO scholars inviting newer scholars and alumni to join them in Hydrographic Surveys e.g. Galapagos Cruise TALUV VXI (Sara Cardigos) and more. The success of this exchange culminates in presenting remarkable results in conferences, e.g., 2023 Map the Gaps Symposium (Sara Cardigos).

Essential to the growth of this international ocean mapping community has been the Nippon Foundation/GEBCO Training Program where personal connections of the alumni network provide informal and formal opportunities. More opportunities beyond the success and impact of the GEBCO alumni scholar community will be discussed here. The authors hailing from the Azores, Japan, Algeria, Kenya, Australia, South Africa and the USA have produced a table of hosting programs, success stories and example outcomes, and where publicly available: contact information and places to look out for future opportunities that are open to the broader ocean mapping community.