Nurturing future maritime professionals

MALAYSIA is one of the world’s most active trading nations. Last year, our exports were valued at Rm998bil, while our imports stood at Rm877.7bil.

However, not many realise that our flourishing international trade is made possible through maritime transport and its ancillary services. Based on the latest statistics from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, more than 80% of global trade by volume is transported by ships and handled at various seaports across the globe.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the Melaka Straits and South China Sea are categorised as one of world’s busiest shipping lanes. Two of our ports, Port Klang and Port Tanjung Pelepas, are recognised as one of the top 20 busiest container ports in the world.

Besides freight logistics activities that are mainly facilitated by cargo ships, port network and their ancillary services, our maritime activities are further boosted by short sea ferries linking the mainland to our outlying islands and neighbouring ports in Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore.

Our regional shipping activities also benefit from the recent surge in cruise tourism and offshore shipping activities in support of the oil and gas industry. The shipping activities have been a boost to more than 60 shipyards across the country.

Among the local universities that are currently producing graduates in the field are Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UNIKL).

Taking the challenge to support the Malaysia Shipping Master Plan 2017-2022 is the recently launched National Transport Policy 2019-2030 in producing a skilled workforce for the maritime industry, UNIKL, through its marine campus in Lumut, has introduced a Master of Maritime Operations and Management (MMOM) since March.

MMOM is conducted by coursework and offered to both full-time and part-time students. It is suitable to those with a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from any discipline, who wish to be exposed to the specialised nature of maritime operations and management at an intermediate level.

Someone with work experience may also enrol in the programme using the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

The programme is delivered using a blended learning concept, combining the conventional face-to-face interactions with virtual learning through the UNIKL Electronic Learning (e-learning) portal. Classes for both full-time and part-time students are held on alternate weekends to allow students to maximise their participation.

Based on a market survey, this programme is suitable for those who are currently employed or aspiring to venture into shipping management, seaport operations, ship-building and ship repair, freight logistics, cargo handling, ship surveyor, government maritime agencies, universities and research institutions. Registration for the MMOM programme will be on Feb 2.

– By Assoc Prof Aminuddin Md Arof, Postgraduate Section Head, UNIKL Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology

For more information, call the Marketing and Admission (MESRA) office at 05-690 9014 or 05-690 9028 or visit www.mimet.edu.my