The Nippon Foundation/GEBCO Training Program has for 20 years incorporated lab visits in the academic program to help grow international networks and provide hands-on experience as an integral part of this international Program. The lab visits component includes both a lab experience at a relevant research center or commercial entity with a focus on ocean mapping as well as sea-going survey experience, with both focusing on building skills in ocean mapping depending on scholar and scholar’s home organizations interests. Examples will highlight the benefits of hosting, as well as participating in these lab visits.

Since the announcement of the Nippon Foundation - GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, some of these lab visits were developed with the project’s Regional Centers and fostered new connections with stakeholders within these regions. Hosting has had the benefit of expanding knowledge and understanding of mapping approaches in other countries and through different agencies, non-profits, universities, and industries. These new networks of potential collaborators, strengthen existing connections and allow more direct contact with local stakeholders. Additionally, scholars hosted by alumni of the Training Program has promoted and strengthened alumni networking. Such approaches provided scholars with some data management experience and deepened their understanding of the contributing mechanism to the global effort led by Seabed 2030.

The at-sea experience, on a variety of platforms under different hosting organizations (philanthropic, non-profit/academic, government vessels/platforms), has allowed many the unique experience to collect and process new bathymetric data from unmapped ocean floor. This fills technical gaps and further supports Seabed 2030 goals. The exposure to different approaches and perspectives strengthens the mapping community.

The progress towards the goal of a complete map of the seafloor leans on the understanding that a variety of national and regional approaches should be catalyzing an inclusive strategy addressing regional challenges. These international collaborations support a global community thriving to improve opportunities to work together towards a single goal.