Robban Assafina has launched its new webinar “Maritime Distance Learning: Reality and Challenges”, the second of the magazine’s Middle East Maritime Online Forum webinar series, discussing Maritime Educational Academies and Institutes’ rapid shift towards digitation in response to the high risks and effects of the ongoing pandemic COVID-19 virus, as distance learning is becoming increasingly popular.

Discussions

The two and a half hour webinar shed the light on the importance of implementing distance learning education technology in maritime academies and institutions in the region as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Key points at the webinar discussed changing the traditional methods of education and its ability to cover all maritime fields, as well as the readiness of academic institutions for the technology in terms of infrastructure, education, instructors and students. Is there a possibility of STCW certificates renewal via VR and AR technologies, and will distance learning help build seafarers with the same competency level?
“Maritime Distance Learning: Reality and Challenges” webinar presented the advantages, disadvantages and challenges of this new digitalized academic era the maritime industry is preparing for and embracing. Throughout the presentations and discussions, maritime education leaders and experts presented their expertise, new training models and methodologies, technologies and innovations serving this sector; in addition to the maritime educational sector’s compatibility with the health and hygienic requirements, possibility of smart academies’ combination, as well as the investment in advanced technologies.

Speakers

Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of the World Maritime University (WMU), delivered the keynote speech. Her remarks focused on WMU's vision for the maritime industry in the e-learning era taking into account the digital revolution that is transforming the shipping industry.
President Doumbia-Henry highlighted the importance of aligning standards across distance learning programmes with standards for traditional resident programmes. She also emphasized on the potential challenge of “perceived invisibility” of distance learning students, “despite they’re not being physically at WMU, they require, deserve and must receive the same attention as our resident students enjoy.
President Doumbia-Henry identified three main issues - learners, instructors, and curriculum-that have been addressed by scholars in recent years regarding distance learning. For a successful distance learning delivery, the students need to regulate their own activities, instructors need to efficiently use the technology available, and the curriculum needs to align with teaching modes and valid assessments. She noted these areas are of particular importance in relation to Maritime Education and Training and in respect of the Certification requirements for safety, security and environmental protection.
“There is a continuing need to improve the educational standards of seafarers and to expand access to educational programmes at all levels—including postgraduate and doctoral studies, professional development courses, as well as taking into account the legal requirements of the IMO STCW Convention and other relevant instruments,” said President Doumbia-Henry. In addition, she suggested that the educational system of maritime institutions may need to be reshaped to meet the challenges of the information society, technological changes in the industry, and the increasing number of part-time students combining study with work.

Regarding provisions of the STCW Convention, she referred to Section B-I/6 of the Convention which relates to distance learning and e-learning. She added that the ability to deliver certificates of competency electronically may in the near future be fully recognised under the STCW Convention pursuant to amendments that were tabled at IMO in February 2020, but not yet discussed due to COVID-19. A set of Draft Guidelines on the Use of Electronic Certificates and Documents for Seafarers have also been put forward for discussion and adoption.
In closing, President Doumbia-Henry stressed that distance learning is a useful modality and has an important role to play in helping to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular, Goal 4 focused on quality education for all, Goal 5 focused on gender equality, Goal 13 focused on climate action and Goal 14 focused on the Life Below Water. Covid-19 should not be an impediment to slow down progress on the implementation of these goals.
Leading the presentations, Ahmed Youssef, PhD-Associate Dean for Sharjah Branch, Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Maritime Transport, shared his views on maritime distance learning, on behalf of Dr. Capt Mohamed Dawood, Vice President for Maritime Affairs at the Academy.

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