The Maritime Department of the University of Dubrovnik is in the final stages of accessing the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU), an advisory body of the IMO, whose goal is to strengthen the international seafarers’ community through education and training of a highly-skilled work force and to implement academic research activities in the area of maritime safety.
The IAMU’s International Executive Board (IEB) appointed Captain Heikki Koivisto to supervise whether the Maritime Department meets the criteria for membership in this prestigious global organisation. Captain Heikki Koivisto has become project manager at Maritime Logistics Research Center, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences – SAMK.
The Maritime Logistics Research Center deals with the research and development of products and services that are efficient, safe and fall within the scope of blue and green development. The aim of the Center is to advance the operation of logistical chains, maritime safety and supply security in cooperation with other companies and entities. The Satakunta University of Applied Sciences is an applied sciences university in the Satakunta region of Finland. It has 6,000 students and 400 employees.
The International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) is a global network of maritime higher education institutions and an advisory body to the IMO (International Maritime Organization). This Association was established in 1999 by seven maritime universities representing each region of the world. The IAMU currently has 69 members, among which two special members, the Nippon Foundation from Japan and the World Maritime University (WMU) from Sweden, established by the IMO.
The IAMU’s Basic Agreement regulates all IAMU’s activities and its governance structure. This structure is comprised of the Annual General Assembly, International Executive Board, Standing Committees and the IAMU’s Secretariat.
All IAMU’s members share the following understanding:
- that globalisation has been progressing rapidly in the international shipping arena;
- that safety, security and environmental protection are crucial issues for the maritime sector;
- that passing on maritime skills and knowledge to the generations that follow needs to be achieved on a global scale.
All IAMU’S members have also recognised the significance of maritime education and training and have noted that:
- the shipping industry is a service industry, in which human resources are the critical element;
- it is only feasible to secure and to preserve highly qualified human resources in the maritime industry through effective education and training;
- effective education and training in the maritime sector derives from scientific and academic rigor and the development of a clear link between practical skills, management techniques and focus on quality.
Based on this shared understanding, it has been mutually agreed:
- that members shall cooperate with each other in a range of scientific and academic studies, developments, and practical applications associated with maritime education and training;
- that members shall endeavour to achieve measurable and worth-wile outcomes for maritime education and training through IAMU activities;
- that members shall publicise the results of their activities as extensively as possible both within and outside the IAMU, and shall endeavour to accumulate scientific results for the benefit of the international maritime community;
- that the members shall thereby contribute to the enhancement of maritime safety, security and environmental protection.
