Euro-ZA Capacity building in the field of maritime education

Aims and Objectives

1. Curriculum content development, improvement and relevance

The consortium aims:

•Study and evaluate the existing curriculum content and module outlines of each partner qualification in marine engineering and nautical science.
•Comparison of all six universities modules and curriculum
•Evaluate and identify best practices based on objectives outlined by the focus point team
•Recommendations for improvement of curriculums of each partner based on best practices. It is foreseen that there will be a possibility of different recommendations at each partner due to the unique situation at each partner institution.

2. Pedagogical processes

•Investigate global trends in engineering and nautical science pedagogy.
•Investigate the use of simulators as a crucial innovative pedagogical tool.
•Study and evaluate existing pedagogical processes at each institution.
•Comparison of all six universities' pedagogical processes.
•Evaluate and identify best practices
•Recommendations for improvement of pedagogical processes at each partner based on best practices as well as the investigation into global trends and simulators.

Each institution use their current framework as a base (NMMU use Mechanical Engineering as framework and base due to Marine Engineering planning to offered from January 2018)

Training methods for basic assessment:

•Class lessons (face to face teaching)
•E-learning (distance learning) including online assessment
•Combination of online digital media and traditional classroom methods (Blended learning)
•Prepare assessment methods
•Ship simulator, independent learning with the guidance of a teacher (captains, master mariners)
•Engineering simulator, independent learning or with the guidance of a teacher
•Thesis
•On board training and tours
•Assessment and continued development of digitalization skills of staff and students
(Take into account the new and old system and staff needs to blend and work together towards the future)

3. Facilities

•Conduct site visits and tour of each partner's facilities.
•Comparison of all six universities facilities.
•Evaluate and identify each partners facility needs to a minimum global "excellent" standard.
•It must be noted that the use of simulators be utilised as a crucial innovative pedagogical tool.
•Recommendations for further investment in future projects and planning.
•NMMU, due to developing the new offering of Marine Engineering, does not have any simulators or training facilities at present. In order to support student development it is planned to install an engine training simulator as an outcome of this project.

A project to assist in implementing other facilities will contribute to future planning and cooperation projects.

4. Student administration systems

Definition: End user of the systems. (Record keeping) Students/Lecturers/Staff/Institutions/Government/Engineering Associations/Employers

•Conduct site visit of facilities with a focus on the administration systems and personnel at each institution. (This can be combined with facilities visit)
•Evaluate the selection process for new student intake.
•Comparison of all six universities administration systems.
•Evaluate and identify each partner’s best practices.