China Meteorological Administration launches Belt and Road Scholar Programme

The Belt and Road Meteorological Visiting Scholar Programme has officially begun with its first cohort of visiting scholars embarking on a year-long research and training program in China. The group, comprising seven scholars from meteorological departments and research institutions in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Thailand, and Seychelles, will focus on various areas such as climatology, climate change, satellite remote sensing, disaster monitoring, meteorology, numerical weather prediction, urban meteorology, and aviation meteorology.

The programme, launched in September, aims to jointly cultivate senior meteorological operational and management staff in key areas like satellite meteorology, numerical weather forecasting, climate change, and disaster prevention and mitigation. The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) has been conducting international training courses on meteorology since 2003, with the China Meteorological Administration Training Centre (CMATC) in Beijing serving as a designated World Meteorological Organization Regional Training Centre. To date, CMATC has organized 86 international training courses, benefiting over 1,300 trainees from more than 135 countries.

The commencement of the Belt and Road Meteorological Visiting Scholar Programme marks a significant step towards enhancing international collaboration in meteorological research and training. With scholars from diverse regions focusing on critical meteorological areas, the programme is poised to contribute to advancements in weather forecasting, climate studies, and disaster management on a global scale.