Welcome to the Homepage of IOI - The Isabela Oceanographic Institute
The Isabela Oceanographic Institute located in Puerto Villamil, Isabela, Galapagos, Ecuador – provides a platform for merging higher education in marine related sciences with development of model grassroots tourism as an economic alternative in this small community dependent on fisheries.
IOI offers a study abroad experience in marine related sciences and their human dimensions for most majors that is as unique as the islands itself. IOI’s motto: “We take the classroom to the field. From penguins to iguanas, from sharks to tortoises, from salt marshes and sandy beaches to volcano peaks – all hands on in areas no tourist ever gets to see!”
IOI is a Florida-based non-profit organization that operates in close affiliation with leading international academic institutions in the US and Europe for the exchange of professors, students, and researchers.
The mission of IOI converges with that of the community to become a model for ecotourism. IOI aims to generate social and economic benefits and conservation through local participatory and educational approaches and provides support for the local education system through teacher exchanges. Inherently, IOI creates a steady font of local income through the educational tourism and jobs it generates.
The goal is a community asset creating new sources of income and education beyond fisheries, an open forum for dialogues on participatory conservation and development, exchange of critical thought leading to human/environmental balance in Galapagos as well as providing top level academic education in marine related science to international college students.
Thank you for your interest and please enjoy our Website.
Sincerely,
Johann Besserer
