The Academy will play a vital role in fulfilling shortage of Emiratis in the local and regional maritime markets, while promoting UAE's status as one ofthe key global maritime hubs

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In line with its role as a distinguished Arab house of expertise and the preferred choice for students in the region, the ArabAcademy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTS) – Sharjah Branch has organised a seminar discussion for its faculty members and students, attended by Professor Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghafar Ismail Farag, President of AASTMT. The seminar discussed the importance of enhancing the economic capabilities and potential of the Arab maritime sector through AASTS’s strategic role as a prominent educational institution. It provides the maritime sector with qualified and trained personnel according to the highest academic and practical standards.

Study will commence in two main majors that the Academy offers in the first phase. The first is maritime transport technology, which has two specialisations: ports and maritime operations. Graduates will receive a bachelor’s degree in addition to a second officer certificate. The second section is the marine engineering section. Graduates will receive a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering in two specialisations; marine mechanics or marine electricity in addition to a third marine engineer certificate. Both degrees qualify graduates to work on commercial and offshore vessels. AASTS also seeks to attract professionals working in the UAE maritime organisations who wish to take specialised training courses as part of the Academy’s professional development and continuing education programmes. AASTS provides maritime passport renewal for maritime officers, engineers, and ratings, as well as 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.

Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghafar Ismail Farag, President of AASTMT, highlighted, "The Academy’s faculty members and administrative staff are ready to welcome the students. The Academy has been built according to the highest professional, scientific and technical standards.The advanced study programmes have been prepared by maritime experts. The Academy’s facilities meet all the needs of students; making the building an encouraging and motivating environment for them to study and spend their time inside them.”

He added, "The Arab Academy forScience, Technology and Maritime Transport in Sharjah with its facilities and capabilities provides unlimited opportunities for students looking for educational services that ensure they find jobs in specialisations that are needed in the market after their graduation and that they get the highest salaries compared to other disciplines. On the other hand, the Academy’s advisory and professional training services are considered precious resources for companies looking to develop their staff to keep pace with the rapid developments in the maritime sector. We are providing big opportunities to build a sustainable Arab maritime economy by promoting and marketing the academic services among various segments of the public.”

Highly trained maritime professionals

Dr. Hisham Afifi, Advisor to the President of the Academy and in charge of Khorfakkan’s branch, said, “The UAE is an advanced global martime hub with over AED280billion in maritime businesses. It hosts dozens of international maritime companies and boasts 19 ports, some of which with top global rankings. That’s why, the maritime sector needs a lot of support from maritime academic institutions, especially to provide the market with qualified young Emirati professionals, and to renew the maritime passports for seafarers. Therefore, our ultimate goal is to consolidate the UAE’s position as one of the key global maritime hubs not only in terms of marine infrastructure and facilities, but also as a centre for the industry’s latest research, developments and innovations.”

Abdel Ghafar concluded, “The Academy’s official inauguration will be occurred soon before end of the year. It will beheld at the Academy’s headquarters in Khorfakkan under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, SupremeCouncil Member and Ruler of Sharjah.A number of local and international maritime leaders will be present. We look forward to building true partnerships between the National academic sector and the maritime industry. This will contribute to advancing  research and development as well as prepare technical and administrative studies to help companies achieve further growth and expansion in product quality and business profitability.”