A conference that aims at encouraging constructive dialogue and establishing solid partnerships to promote maritime education and training and to explore new prospects for optimising investment in manpower as a backbone of overall development opened in Dubai, UAE today (November 9).

 

Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works and chairman of the Federal Transport Authority – Land and Maritime inaugurated the two-day Maritime Academic Conference and Expo (Maracad), organised by Cham Events and held at the Dubai World Trade Center. 

 

The event is being attended by international maritime industry leaders, senior government officials, decision makers, maritime sector stakeholders and top experts, vessel operators and owners in the UAE and the region. 

 

The participation of the Federal Transport Authority – Land and Maritime underlines the country's experiences in addressing industry challenges and introduction of best practices and standards, which have reinforced the UAE's leading position in the maritime education and training sector.

 

"The country's maritime segment constitutes about five per cent of the total state economy. This figure is expected to grow to 25 per cent with the entry of more UAE based maritime companies, which will provide key services like education, industries, insurance and finance. In addition to these emerging companies, growth will also be attributed to maritime classification authorities, ship owners and operators," said Al Nuaimi.

 

"In line with this, the International Maritime Academic Conference and Expo serves as a strategic platform aimed for participants to share opinions and develop solutions that are aimed at addressing emerging challenges of maritime education & training segment. This event falls in line with the country's commitment towards further developing human resources for the maritime segment, which represents the pillars for industry growth at both regional and international levels."

 

The Minister added that the event will open horizons for maritime training and education, which will enable more cooperation and collaboration across concerned parties like economic consultancies, academies, maritime authorities, banks, maritime service companies and national and international financing institutions--all working together to develop infrastructure, services and training programs for the maritime educational sector.

 

The opening of the conference was held simultaneously with a two-day exposition showcasing the latest technologies and innovations in today's maritime industry. 

 

The event is being attended by maritime transport experts and speakers who are discussing the current state of the maritime industry's business segment and the future of regional and international maritime education and training markets.      

 

Maracad features key discussions and workshops covering key topics such as the UAE and its move to support the sustainability of the marine industry, the Middle East and maritime academic scientific research initiatives, IMO’s role in the development of maritime education, Maritime labor market and the requirements and policies that govern it, the changing training needs of the shipping industry, role of marine support services for the development of the maritime industry and the technology and electronic services in the maritime industry development among others.

 

The inaugural conference's agenda also highlights the presentation of research papers from leading maritime organizations like the IMO, the Marine Research Center in England and various leaders of the leading global maritime academic institutions. - TradeArabia News Service