Enhancing the capacities of maritime higher education institutions on marine pollution and environmental protection. Curricula harmonization

Abstract

The navigating personnel with higher education is trained in the profile academies and universities following curricula that must adapt to the specific requirements of the profile ministries, the naval authorities but also the International Maritime organization. This is one of the reasons why there are differences between the national maritime education systems and implicitly creates difficulties regarding the recognition of educational qualifications and periods of study completed abroad. Taking into account that the protection of the environment has now become a topical issue and International Maritime Organization initiatives provide ample opportunities, this paper will present the initiative of five Maritime Higher Institutions to harmonize the course on Applied Chemistry to Prevent Marine Pollution to comply with Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. To avoid pollution accidents, it is imperative to provide a quality education for MHEI students, able to provide them with the necessary skills. These aspects are similar in all countries, therefore a closer collaboration between maritime higher education institutions and stakeholders is required. To all this is added the new approaches to higher education in the context created by the pandemic, with an emphasis on the development of online educational tools. Applied chemistry is a new course concept that aims to raise awareness of the concepts and methods of applying the theories and principles of chemistry to protect the environment and the health of the crew on board the ship. The best practices and knowledge sharing, education, keeping up with new technological achievements, and development of information systems form a prerequisite for such cooperation.