All over the world, the maritime industry is suffering a critical shortage of qualified and skilled personnel. To improve procedures and practices overall, governments, marine authorities and employers are calling on increased maritime training and education resources to resolve the problem.
In South East Asia, a significant marine education and training entity has appeared on the horizon in the form of the Vietnam Maritime University (VMU).
With a comprehensive array of courses and facilities and the potential to enrol students from around the world, VMU aims to appeal to new students and staff looking to upgrade skills and gain new qualifications.
Beginning as the Vocational School of Education in 1956 and progressing through a series of advances to become the key university for the Vietnamese marine industry, VMU has provided training and education to Vietnamese sailors and marine personnel as well as helped implement a national sea strategy.
To supplement and improve upon national programs, the university has developed formal liaisons with institutions from around the world, offering Bachelor's degrees with 26 majors across nine faculties and institutes. Extensive postgraduate programs are also in place, with VMU offering Masters and Doctorate degrees in a range of disciplines, from engineering to navigation and from marine safety to electronics.
Accredited to international standards in fields such as ship and fleet masters to pilotage and chief electricians, VMU also offers several specialist courses and programs including tanker operations, liquefied natural gas (LNG) handling, ARPA and GMDSS.
With an academic staff roster including professors, captains, chief engineers and seamen, VMU is well placed to train the over 10,000 attendees in almost any maritime field. Currently complying with ISO-9001, VMU is a full member of AMETIAP 2002 and IAMU 2004.
With teaching facilities sprawling over four campuses, specialist education resources include radar and switchboard simulators, a fully operational engine room, and a towing tank and ship model maker. The university also has a training vessel, the 'Sao Bien', which provides an invaluable seagoing training resource.
All teaching is conducted in English and, in addition to marine-specific subjects, VMU also includes departments of philosophy, foreign languages and shipbuilding.
Featuring a range of student accommodation, dormitories, libraries, swimming pools and a sports stadium, VMU is active in promoting exchange programs for students and staff, actively liaising with marine education and training institutes from around the world. Currently, exchange programs are in progress with units in the United States, China and Korea.
All marine entities interested in quality marine education and training are encouraged to contact VMU's director, Dr Nguyen Thanh Son.
Dick Lee
