US UNIVERSITY ROLE IN EDUCATION FOR MARINE RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT IN THE LDCS

universities concerned with international educational assistance in the marine sector gathered at the University of Rhode Island in December 1977 to discuss their common interests. Some of the topics reviewed were nearshore and artisan fisheries, aquaculture, coastal land and nearshore management, high seas fisheries, oceanographic research, and seabed resources. A major objective was to place emphasis on educational needs in contrast to the tendency of supporting organizations to undertake projects with an inadequate educational back-up. Other objectives were: to appraise the capacity of U.S. universities to assist LDC"s in developing their marine resources; to involve representatives from universities and other supporting groups in discussing a strategy that might aid LDC in-country capabilities; and to agree on initial guidelines and action plans. The paper also deals with the active aspects of university participation in international education in marine resources; these include degree programs, non-degree course and curriculum offerings, professional reorientation endeavors, information exchange, aid to overseas institutions, and inter-university arrangements. The summary concludes with a discussion of the problems facing a university involved in educational endeavors for the LDC"s and a discussion of the funding required for such activities.