Presenting the latest smart education programs and capabilities through its advanced laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art simulators and digital virtual training systems

 The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTS)– Sharjah Branch has successfully participated in the fifth edition ofBreakbulk Middle East 2020, which is held under the patronage of HisExcellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, the UAE Minister of InfrastructureDevelopment and the Chairman of Federal Transport Authority for Land andMaritime from 25 to 26 February 2020 at Dubai WorldTrade Center. The Academy aimed to present to visitors, students and all government and private entities, its advanced capabilities in the field of maritime education and training. Several maritime entities have visited the academy’s pavilion as the official admission has been opened for the second patch in both Maritime Transport Technology and Marine Engineering Technology.

In this regard, Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Faraj, President of the ArabAcademy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, highlighted:"It is a significant step for us to participate in the 5th edition of “Breakbulk Middle East 2020” in order to create more awareness about the benefits that we provide to students who are looking for highly competitive new educational opportunities in the maritime sector as there has been a strong demand for qualified local cadres, especially in this part of the world.”

Faraj added, “The UAE is an advanced global shipping hub with over AED280 billion in maritime businesses. It hosts dozens of international maritime companies and boasts 19 ports, some of which are ranked first globally. That’s why; the maritime sector needs a lot of support from maritime academic institutions, especially to supply the market with qualified young Emirati professionals, and to test renewal of the maritime passports for seafarers."

Attracting DistinctiveCalibre

Imperatively, Dr. Hisham Afifi,Advisor to the President of the Academy and in charge of Khorfakkan's branch, emphasized,"Our participation in this event for the first time as being the official knowledge partner comes in line with the UAE preparation for the next 50 years, which represents an integrated strategy for building new economic capabilities independent to the oil sector. The education sector comes as the main supporter of this initiative, especially in the maritime field, which is one of the most important pillars of the country's future sustainable economy. Capitalizing on the strategic location of the UAE at the heart of global trade routes, in addition to the UAE’s advanced marine infrastructure, the country is ranked as one of the best global maritime hubs according to many international reports."

Dr. Afifi explained, “Our participation inBreakbulk Middle East comes at a very important time for us as we are approaching closure of registering the second patch in Khorfakkan by mid ofMarch 2020. We look forward to building a true partnership between the National academic sector and the maritime industry. This will contribute to research and development and prepare technical and administrative studies to help companies achieve further growth and expansion in product quality and business profitability.”

Strategic Knowledge Partner

Dr. Ahmed Youssef, Associate Dean of the College ofMaritime Transport and Technology, clarified:“The Academy offers two specialisations in the first phase: maritime transport technology, which has two disciplines; port operations and maritime operations. Graduates qualify for a bachelor's degree and certificate of a second officer. The Department of Marine Engineering also includes two domains: marine mechanics or marine electricity, in addition to the certificate of a third marine engineer. Both disciplines qualify graduates to work on commercial ships and petroleum service vessels. AASTS also seeks to attract professionals working in maritime companies in the UAE who wish to take specialised training courses as part of its professional development and continuing education programmes. AASTS provides maritime passport renewal, and cooperates with the training departments of shipping companies to design specialised training programmes in various maritime technical and administrative areas, benefitting from the Academy’s state-of-the-art simulators.”

Youssef added, “The maritime sector needs alot of support from maritime academic institutions to supply the market with qualified young Emirati men and women, and also for the renewal of maritime passports for seafarers. That’s why, our goal is to promote the UAE's position not only in terms of maritime infrastructure and facilities, but also as a scientific hub for the industry’s latest research, development and innovation.We look forward to building a true partnership between the National academic sector and the maritime industry. This will enhance research and development and prepare technical and administrative studies to help companies achieve further growth and expansion in product quality and business profitability.”

AASTS plays a pivotal role in bridging the shortage of Emirati professionals in the local and regional markets, in addition to contributing to promoting the UAE's position as one of the key global marine hubs not only in terms of marine infrastructure and facilities, but also as a scientific centre for the industry’s latest research, development and innovation.

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