'Hands-on' Maritime English Training (HMET)

It is a pleasure to advise that teachers from the following ten GlobalMET members participated in the Hands-on Maritime English Training Course organised by Tokyo University of Marine Science & Technology, from 28 August to 01 September 2006:

 California Maritime Academy - Vallejo CA, USA - faculty member as trainer

 Colombo International Navigation and Engineering College - Malambe, Sri Lanka - English Teacher as trainee

 Malaysian Maritime Academy - Melaka, Malaysia - English Teacher as trainee

 Maritime State University named after Admiral G Nevelskoy - Vladivostok, Russia - English Teacher as trainee

 Mercantile Seamen Training Institute - Galle, Sri Lanka - English Teacher as trainee

 Roy Stall - Associate Member - Perth WA, Australia - as trainer

 Tokyo University of Marine Science & Technology - Tokyo, Japan- four faculty members, assisting on the course

 University of Transport in Ho Chi Minh City - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - English Teacher as trainee

 World Maritime University - Malmo, Sweden - Honorary Member - two faculty members as trainers

 Wuhan University of Technology - Wuhan, China - two English Teachers as trainees

This very successful training program guided by excellent trainers and supported by experienced English teachers, with participants from 9 countries, is a fine example of GlobalMET Members collaborating to benefit maritime education and training. The students were strongly motivated to study Maritime English as an essential tool for their future work. At the forthcoming conference in Singapore, the University will provide further details of this HMET, as well as report on the Onboard Training on the National Institute of Sea Training Vessel "Taisei Maru" held in January.

The continued provision of these training programs for Maritime English Teaching by the Tokyo University of Marine Science & Technology is greatly appreciated. On behalf of GlobalMET members, we look forward to more these valuable programs.

GlobalMET / Vels Academy of Maritime Studies Seminar: "E-Learning in the Maritime Sector - The Global Scenario"

A highly participative seminar, organized and hosted by Captain Vivekanand, Director and staff of Vels Academy of Maritime Studies, was held in Chennai on 30 September 2006. The initial presentation by Rod Short, Executive Secretary, GlobalMET, summarised the current situation in MET, the development of GlobalMET and the potential of the network to assist development.

The next address by Capt Sarath Kumar of Teledata Informatics ranged over the potential for e-learning in the global shipping industry, described the systems and technology involved and gave examples of course materials already prepared by Teledata.

The following two addresses, by Mr Shivkumar of axis-v and Capt Rajagopal of New Horizons Solutions & Technologies, built on the previous presentations, described the background to e-learning, growing technological dominance, the great potential for extensive use of information and communications technology in MET, the major investment required to achieve long-term advantages and the key role e-learning will play in improving maritime safety.

The afternoon was devoted to live e-learning exercises demonstrating the enormous potential for this rapidly growing educational facility. Seminar participants were fully involved and interest and discussion continued at a high level until the closing of the seminar.

The following Statement of Outcomes was agreed by the participants:
WE, the participants in the GlobalMET / Vels Academy of Maritime Studies Seminar: "E-Learning in the Maritime Sector - The Global Scenario", held in Chennai on 30 September 2006: EXPRESS strong support for - the establishment and development of a major maritime education and training (MET) hub in the Chennai area, including the proposal to establish a maritime university;
- the networking of MET institutions and individuals to assist the development of MET and to enable a professional 'voice' for the MET providers;
- the development and delivery of e-learning for seafarers and others in the global maritime industries;
CALL UPON the industry, regulators and other interested parties to support and participate in these initiatives and thereby contribute to raising the quality of MET and the supply of employees competent to meet the needs of the global shipping industry;
EXPRESS gratitude for the initiative taken by Vels Academy of Maritime Studies and GlobalMET in organising and hosting this highly relevant seminar.

In association with the annual general meetings, GlobalMET has hosted well attended and highly participative conferences:

• In Singapore in December 1997, in association with the Singapore Maritime Academy,which addressed the themes: The revised International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978; and Maritime Education and Training into the 21st Century;
• In Shanghai in October 1998,in association with Shanghai Maritime University, which addressed the theme: Education for Safer Ships and Cleaner Oceans;
• In Tokyo in December 1999, in association with Tokyo University of Mercantile Marine, which addressed the theme: Education for a More Efficient, Safer and Cleaner Shipping Industry: Formulating the GlobalMET Charter 2000-2010;
• In Launceston in November 2000, in association with the Australian Maritime College, which addressed the theme: Education for a More Efficient, Safer and Cleaner Shipping Industry: After the White List What next?
• In Mumbai in January 2002, in association with Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, which addressed the theme: GlobalMET in India: Progressing the Issues;
• In Manila in November 2002, in association with member institutions in the Philippines, which addressed the theme: Education for a More Efficient, Safer and Cleaner Shipping Industry: Quality in MET.
• In Vallejo , California in October 2003, in association with the California Maritime Academy, which addressed the theme: Education for a More Efficient, Safer and Cleaner Shipping Industry: Maritime English, Maritime Technology and Safety Through Security.
• In Vladivostok in September 2004, in association with the Maritime State University, which addressed the theme: Education for a More Efficient, Safer and Cleaner Shipping Industry: The Role of MET Institutions in Improving Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.
  
• In Manila in November 2005, in association with member institutions in the Philippines, which addressed the theme: Education for a More Efficient, Safer and Cleaner Shipping Industry: Quality in MET.
  
• In Singapore in October 2006, in association with the Singapore Maritime Academy, which addressed the theme: Education for a More Efficient, Safer and Cleaner Shipping Industry: Meeting Modern Needs
  

In addition, with the contacts made through participation in GlobalMET, a number of members are actively liaising with one another in assisting development.