To ensure that maritime education evolves to meet the demands of a rapidly advancing industry, IAMU PAES Workgroup members, together with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), organized a MET Symposium on Maritime Education and Training (MET) at the Manila Prince Hotel, Philippines, on 08th November 2024.

This symposium spotlighted pressing topics related to leveraging technology for a future-ready maritime workforce and the upskilling of instructors and assessors of future seafarers.

Esteemed maritime experts and IAMU PAES Workgroup members, underscoring the importance of adapting to technological advancements and strengthening MET faculty skills, shared insights on following topics:

  1. Immersive technologies to augment Onboard Training of seafarers, Prof. Tamera Jody Reul Gilmartin, State University of New York,
  2. Effective use of simulators for enhanced teaching and assessment of competence, Prof. Srđan Žuškin, University of Rijeka, Croatia,
  3. Upgrading digital skills of MET faculty, Prof. Inga Bartusevičienė, World Maritime University, Sweden,
  4. Critical thinking skills for future maritime workforce and MET institutions, Prof. Damir Zec, University of Rijeka, Croatia,
  5. Managing seafarers’ education and training in line with the Comprehensive Review of the STCW Convention, Prof. Takeshi Nakazawa, Executive Director of the International Association of Maritime Universities,
  6. Ensuring academic excellence and professional competence in MHEIs, VADM Eduardo Ma R Santos AFP (Ret), President of Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, Philippines.

The symposium underscored the pressing need to innovate maritime education and training in light of rapid technological advancements. Also, it highlighted the necessity of constantly improving teaching methodology and the contents of subjects included in the curricula.

MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan, in her keynote address, highlighted the urgent need for educational systems to adapt to this rapid innovation to avoid falling behind, urging leaders, educators, and innovators across the maritime industry to explore ways to evolve training methods and educational frameworks to meet the demands of a changing world.

MARINA posted about the event in their facebook account:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EAaCcpVUQ/?mibextid=WC7FNe

YProf. Tamera Jody Reul Gilmartin, State University of New York

 Prof. Srđan Žuškin, University of Rijeka, Croatia

Prof. Inga Bartusevičienė, World Maritime University, Sweden

Prof. Damir Zec, University of Rijeka, Croatia

 Prof. Takeshi Nakazawa, Executive Director of the International Association of Maritime Universities

VADM Eduardo Ma R Santos AFP (Ret), President of Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, Philippines