A Living Legacy for Ocean Science - launching the new UCT Mathieu Rouault Research Centre

The launch of the Mathieu Rouault Research Centre marks a meaningful moment for ocean and climate science at University of Cape Town (UCT). Opened on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, the centre celebrates the life and legacy of Mathieu Rouault, whose work transformed how scientists understand the oceans around southern Africa. More than a memorial, the centre is a dynamic space designed to inspire collaboration, innovation and learning.

Opening Moment: Guests gather in the newly renovated Mathieu Rouault Research Centre during the official launch at the UCT Department of Oceanography.

Established within the UCT Department of Oceanography, the Mathieu Rouault Research Centre (MRRC) transforms a former library into a hybrid teaching, learning and research hub. The launch event brought together staff, students, collaborators and friends to celebrate a scientist whose work on the Agulhas and Benguela currents revealed how ocean circulation shapes climate, ecosystems and livelihoods.

Guests were welcomed by the Head of Department and Director of UCT-MARiS, Marcello Vichi, who led a tour of the renewed space. The programme also included showcasing a short documentary produced by Head South Productions and featuring Dr Moagabo Ragoasha, Physical Oceanographer and Lecturer in the Oceanography Department, followed by informal networking. The centre now stands as a shared space where books and digital tools, models and conversations, meet to support modern ocean science.

Guided Tour: Prof Marcello Vichi leads visitors through the centre, showcasing its flexible learning and research areas.

A short documentary on Dr Moagabo Ragoasha’s journey in ocean science and Prof Rouault’s legacy - Head South Productions presents a film titled, "Where Ocean Currents Collide", featuring an interview with Dr Moagabo Ragoasha.

Reflections on a Transformative Space

Reflecting on the importance of the MRRC, Prof Vichi noted that ocean science has evolved from a largely descriptive field into a predictive and interdisciplinary one. He emphasised that observations are now merged with data science, machine learning and numerical modelling to build new theories about the ocean–atmosphere system and its role in climate.

He explained that scientific spaces must evolve in parallel. Once a specialised library, the room had gradually darkened and lost its central role. Inspired by Rouault’s interdisciplinary legacy, it has been reimagined as a luminous, flexible environment that supports multitasking and interaction rather than one-directional lecturing. In this new format, printed books and digital knowledge coexist, encouraging students and researchers to move fluidly between discussion, analysis and discovery.

For many attendees, this shift symbolises how institutions can honour the past while equipping the next generation of scientists.

Active Learning: Prof Vichi gets the attendees to test the upgraded digital screens and collaborative spaces during the launch evening.

A Hub for Connection and Growth

For Resource Centre Officer, Nadia Jabaar, the transformation is both professional and personal. She describes the renovation as a renewed commitment to connection, accessibility and growth within the department.

According to Jabaar, the upgraded technology has already changed how the space is used. Large screens and improved digital infrastructure make meetings, group discussions and presentations easier, while also showcasing departmental research. This visibility has increased foot traffic and engagement, turning the centre into a lively environment rather than a quiet storage area.

She notes that working in a modern, well-designed space validates the importance of her role and gives her pride in managing a centre that actively supports teaching and research. The MRRC, she says, has the potential to become a central hub that encourages creativity, collaboration and a sense of community.

At the Heart of the Hub: Nadia Jabaar at her desk in the resource centre, managing bookings and supporting users of the space.

Carrying Forward Rouault’s Legacy

Rouault’s influence extends far beyond his publications. His mentorship shaped a generation of scientists who continue to explore how oceans influence regional and global climate. By naming the centre after him, the department anchors his legacy in the daily life of students and researchers.

Just as the Agulhas and Benguela currents collide, mix and transform the ocean around Cape Town, the MRRC is designed as a meeting point for ideas, disciplines and people. It is a place where physical oceanography meets biogeochemistry, where modelling meets observation, and where teaching meets research.

In this sense, the centre is not only about remembering a respected colleague; it is about sustaining the curiosity, rigour and openness that defined his work.

In attendance, Prof Rouault’s family, including ex-wife Marjolaine Krug and three sons Tanguy, Felix and Raphael were present at the launch of the MRRC.

The Mathieu Rouault Research Centre represents a bridge between past and future ocean science at UCT — a space where legacy meets innovation. While its primary users are staff, students and affiliated partners, its impact extends to the broader scientific community through the research and people it supports.

For more information about the Mathieu Rouault Research Centre or to enquire about access and collaborations, interested parties can contact Nadia Jabaar at the UCT Department of Oceanography via email: nadia.jabaar@uct.ac.za.