Dubai Maritime City (DMC), the world’s first purpose-built maritime centre and a member of the Dubai World Group of companies, has announced that it has commenced negotiations with the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) to construct an academic centre for maritime science in the Academic Quarter of the Maritime City. On completion, the Maritime Education University will be a fully comprehensive education, training, and research institute for maritime science, and will play a key role in the creation of a pool of professional manpower for the global maritime industry.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed recently by the two parties to inaugurate the joint maritime academy strategy, to discuss mutual collaboration in order to build sustainable capacity in maritime education, and to establish a task force to conduct and complete a feasibility study for the project.
Commenting on the agreement, Amer Ali, CEO of Dubai Maritime City said, “The shortage of qualified manpower in the maritime industry today is of enormous concern, as the shortage affects the seagoing, management, educational and other crucial components of the industry. To address this situation, it is our goal to build a state-of-the-art institute that is built around the needs of the global maritime industry in the 21st century.”
“With the support of key players, such as IAMU, we hope to create a large, qualified and available pool of manpower, right at the heart of the maritime industry in the Middle East,” Ali added.
An initial proposal reveals that the University will offer an array of full-time and short courses, covering at least ten disciplines such as maritime law; maritime engineering management; IT in maritime; logistics; environment management; ship management and operation; ship building management; ocean energy technology; among others. The 27,000 square metre University will also be affiliated with a research and development (R&D) institute to assist doctorate students with their studies.
“Dubai Maritime City is currently engaged in dialogue with several other maritime-related universities, as it is our strategy to establish one main anchor for the Maritime Education University, plus additional institutions as required. This is an exciting phase in the development of the City, as we continue to build the structure of a fully integrated environment that provides for the complex needs of residents, businesses and industries, which will be based in the Maritime City,” said Ali Al-Daboos, COO at Dubai Maritime City.
Dubai Maritime City is currently progressing ahead of schedule in the development of an iconic, multi-dimensional maritime centre with the purpose of providing a unique world-class environment for the global maritime community. On completion, the City will incorporate residential, commercial, and industrial quarters, in addition to a dedicated maritime centre and marina district.
The IAMU is renowned for having among its members the most prestigious and renowned universities in the world dedicated to maritime education, training, research and innovation. The Association was founded in 1999 by seven universities from five continents of the world, and now comprises 47 institutions, all of which have a shared recognition of the significance of maritime education and training in the rapid globalization of the international shipping arena.
