1.3 million Seamen in the world’s seas…
Shipping is truly the lynchpin of the global economy in the 21st century. It is generally accepted that more than 90 per cent of international trade among all the nations and regions of the world is carried by sea. Therefore, English has become one of the most important necessities for maritime education to train well qualified seafarers.
According to the press statement issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of University of Kyrenia, over 90 percent of goods transported worldwide are seaborne goods and the demand for qualified seafarers continues to increase every year. The press statement drew attention to the crucial role of English in training well qualified trainers to fill in the global shortage. In the press statement, it was highlighted that the University of Kyrenia within the frame of its fundamental objectives is committed to producing highly qualified seafarers through quality education to meet the requirements of national and international marine industries.
According to the report issued by the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), the largest shipping organization of cargo owners in the world, more than 1.3 million seafarers, excluding the number of shore staff, are currently employed onboard undertaking the task of marine transporting. 350 thousand of these 1.3 million seamen speak English as a second language.
According to the report issued by Bimco, the current trend will hardly soar in future years because global fleet is growing faster than the number of seamen available. By 2016 the demand for qualified seafarers will reach 591 thousands and only 515 thousands will be available, whereas showing 76 thousand jobs gap.
7500 new vessels joined the maritime sector through 2010 – 2014
In the press statement it was underlined that 7500 new merchant ships were constructed and joined the maritime fleet. It was pointed out that even during the period when some 30 percent of total vessels worldwide were not sailing due to the economic crisis originated from the financial sector of the US, there was a need for 30 thousand qualified seamen.
Touching upon the dramatic changes in today’s labor market priorities for career choices, in the press statement, it was stressed that the maritime industry had more than 40 thousand vacancies, in addition to the growing trend. It was noted that hundreds of qualified seafarers, who graduated from the Near East University and equipped with English language skills, were currently carrying out important tasks in the world’s marine industry. The University of Kyrenia, which has taken over the academic accumulation of its sister university, the Near East University, is the first and only university that specialized on maritime and aviation in Cyprus. The University of Kyrenia is committed to providing young people with information regarding all merits of maritime education in English and showing possibility for them to find emotional attractiveness and realization of their interests when they choose maritime professions. Besides, the University of Kyrenia is devoted itself to provide the highest quality maritime and aviation education at international standards.
Having been accredited by internationally authorized institutions and organizations, the University of Kyrenia provides a distinguished education and training in both Turkish and English so as to meet all the criteria of the international maritime sector in the line with relevant provisions of IMO and STCW Conventions, and the terms and regulations set by HEC, Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication of Turkey.
According to the press statement, providing maritime education both in Turkish and English, the University of Kyrenia with its high-tech equipped infrastructure set it as its goal to become one of the highest quality training centers in the Mediterranean Region as well as in the world. In the press statement, it was reminded that registrations would continue till 5 September 2014.
Source: KIBRIS POSTASI