The IMarEST joins forces with CANSI and Ningbo University to support Chinese shipbuilders
The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI) and Ningbo University, to support the training and professional development of international maritime professionals in the region.
Working together, the organisations will provide support for shore-based professionals in Ningbo by enhancing the skills, recognition, development and retention of talent. This includes supporting individuals without seagoing experience, to gain international recognition through Certificates of Competency such as leveraging their experience on a BSc/MSc course and/or another route to Incorporated, Registered and Chartered status.
The programme will also see CANSI and the IMarEST support those in the shipbuilding industry, such as naval architects and engineers, with access to information and professional development guidance, and provide technical knowledge to support key events that all organisations are involved in.
The IMarEST is an international membership body, which brings marine engineers, scientists and technologists together across 128 countries. It promotes the development of these disciplines, while providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas and practices, and upholding the status, standards and expertise of marine professionals worldwide. In addition, the organisation works specifically to support the next generation of marine professionals by offering free student membership (SIMarEST) to all full-time students, cadets and apprentices, to support them during their studies. It also offers support at the beginning of their careers with Initial Professional Development (IPD).
Guo Dacheng, Chairman of the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI), comments: “Each maritime professional is vital to the development of the industry in our region; supporting them is crucial. CANSI, Ningbo University and IMarEST have joined together to promote the establishment of a maritime professional education system, which incorporates shipbuilding, port service, marine equipment manufacture and offshore engineering, to name a few.”
He continues: “By formulating a high-end, multilevel and large-scale linkage effect in education in shipbuilding, shipping, port and other maritime industries fields, we not only ensure our professionals are being educated to the highest standards, but also pave the way for developing the future of China’s maritime industry.”
Gwynne Lewis, CEO at IMarEST said: “We’re delighted to join forces with CANSI and Ningbo University to provide support for marine professionals in the region, and further promote the industry as a career path with excellent prospects and a diverse choice of roles. Our offer to the next generation of marine professionals in Ningbo with free student membership gives them a fantastic platform to launch their careers.”
Professor Pengjun Zheng, Dean of the Faculty of Maritime and Transportation at Ningbo University, added: “Higher education needs to meet the demand of internationalisation and globalisation when prompting its professional education pattern, especially for the maritime-related subjects, which have internationalisation at their core.
“The existing programmes of Marine Engineering, Navigation Technology, and Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at Ningbo University are accredited by the IMarEST, while the new tripartite cooperation with CANSI and IMarEST will further support the reform of our programme structure, curriculum system and teaching patterns to explore an innovative education pattern for international marine professionals.”
Find out more about accreditation at www.imarest.org/accreditation.