The Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime TransportBranch in Sharjah (AASTS) has opened admission for the Spring semester 2022. Registration is open for holders of high school certificate or equivalent. A large number of male and female students are keen to join the two disciplines AASTS currently offers; a Bachelor of Marine Engineering Technology + a 3rd EngineerCertificate of Competency, and a Bachelor of Maritime Transport Technology +2nd Mate Certificate of Competency in Shipping and Port Operations and Offshore service technology. Both disciplines qualify graduates to work in shipping, port operations and offshore support services.

AASTS plays a vital role in reinforcing maritime education and training in the GCC region and the Middle East in general. It graduates competent young maritime professionals from the UAE and abroad. AASTS is a distinguished educational landmark that attracts hundreds of students each year. It enjoys a prestigious international reputation in maritime education.The Sharjah branch is comparable in size and equipment with the Academy’s main branch in Alexandria, Egypt.

H.E. Prof Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Farag, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, said: “The UAE’s leadership has invested heavily to establish the Academy’s branch in Sharjah to become the academic house of expertise that provides the maritime sector in the UAE and the region with world-class capabilities in scientific research, education and training. Our responsibility towards achieving this goal has become bigger with the re-election of the UAE to the IMO Council in Category B, receiving the most votes of the member states. The consensus from the majority of world countries underlines the UAE’s position in the global marine industry. This motivates us to exert more efforts to prepare highly-qualified individuals who are the key element of excellence in this sector.”

Farag added:"At AASTS, we have designed our educational curricula to keep pace with the UAE’s strategic plans in the ‘Projects of the 50’, which focus on increasing the UAE's exports and expanding the global reach of its products, where shipping plays a pivotal role, in addition to enhancing Emiratisation across vital sectors, especially in the private sector. We actively contribute to these goals by providing the best education and training programmes by top professors and instructors. We make sure that the Academy’s graduates have the skills required in the job market to work in prestigious and high-paying jobs that march the high level of education and qualification they have received as we developed their academic and leadership capabilities.”

In a short period of time, the Academy succeeded in gaining recognition and appreciation by key players in the UAE’s marine sector. AASTS signed an MoU with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure as well as theMinistry of Climate Change and Environment, in order to be the educational arm in all matters related to developing the UAE’s blue economy capabilities. TheAcademy also cooperates with many government and private organisations to provide specialised training courses. It cooperates with Dubai Police to develop a professional diploma in maritime security. This role played by theAASTS contributes to developing the potential capabilities of the UAE with its strategic location and rich marine natural resources to build a sustainable blue economy and protect the marine environment, in addition to opening up opportunities for international investments and increasing the demand for national maritime competencies.

Dr. Capt. Ahmed Youssef,Associate Dean, College of Maritime Transport and Technology, AASTS, said, “The maritime industry is witnessing a great demand for graduates ofMaritime Transport Technology and Marine Engineering Technology, especially from Emirati graduates. The Academy’s graduates can find quality jobs in many organisations such as the Navy, Government Sector, and police agencies across the UAE. Oil companies with offshore fields, shipping and ship management companies, local and international classification bodies, as well as other organisations and companies in the maritime sector also require the expertise of our graduates. In short, the job opportunities for our graduates are limitless.”

Jobs opportunities for the Academy graduates are not limited to onboard ships. They can work in key positions in shipping, ship management, logistics companies, port operations as well as in research and development and training. Studying at the Academy is distinguished by teaching discipline and developing leadership skills, which makes the graduates highly capable of succeeding in their future careers. This has prompted many Emiratis who completed their national service to join the Academy to start their careers in this promising sector.

Distinguished student life

In order to motivate students to achieve more academically, AASTS provides an ideal environment for student life, through the best academic and academic facilities. The Academy provides separate dormitory for male and female students, equipped with the best recreational facilities supervised by professional teams to ensure the highest levels of comfort and safety for students. AASTS encourages its students to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The Academy also features sports facilities such as swimming pools and training and fitness equipment.

With enrolled female students accounting for 40% of the total number of students, AASTS has the highest percentage of females compared to other maritime academies. The Academy is keen to connect its students with leaders in the local and regional maritime industry, organise field and virtual participation in all trade and professional maritime events, and host experts to speak to the students and inform them about job opportunities in the maritime sector.

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