|
Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM), Malaysia’s premier seafarers’ training
institution is undergoing a major revamp and a structural change to position
itself as a leading maritime education and training (MET) academy in the
region.
The major transformation of the academy is primarily aimed at producing more
competent, qualified and quality seafarers in accordance with demands for
greater standards on maritime safety and security.
Disclosing this in an interview, M Adthisaya Ganesen, the chief executive
officer of ALAM since February this year said the transformation was part of
the vision to position ALAM as a reputable MET institution in the region.
To progress on this vision, the new management team headed by Ganesen has
appointed internationally recognised Det Norske Veritas (DNV) to audit the
entire syllabus and curriculum that aims not only to keep comply with the
IMO’s Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping (STCW)
requirements but even beyond that.
“We want the auditors to identify gaps in the current training curricula and
assist our team to close the gap. We are confident that the DNV's Seaskill
Certification for ALAM will set the benchmark against world class standard,”
he said.
ALAM signed the MOU with DNV in July 2005.
Ganesen said it was important to benchmark ALAM’s education and training
standards against international standards in order for the academy to be
seen as a world-class academy producing competent seafarers who are
marketable to meet the challenging demands of the industry.
“In this regard, I am very grateful to my Chairman, Dato’ Shamsul Azhar
Abbas, the President/Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia International
Shipping Corporation Bhd who has set the vision to transform ALAM into a
reputable world class MET institution. Infact MISC has been supporting ALAM
from the very beginning to what we are today.” he added.
Ganesen said at least 50 per cent of the syllabus for courses offered by the
academy would be verified by end of September this year. This is not all,
the physical and human resources of ALAM will also have to be verified and
improved upon where necessary for successful certification by DNV.
“We are targeting to complete the Seaskill certification by February 2006,”
he added.
Steps have already been taken to depart from the “purely class-room training
approach” into a “full-fledged high-end training centre” with real-operation
of ships using the latest state-of-the-art simulators and the training ship,
Pernas Propane.
Early this year ALAM acquired a full mission ship-handling simulator, thanks
to the contribution from MISC Bhd that is able to simulate any ship
manoeuvring and operation environment with complete accuracy and reality.
With the simulator, ALAM can bring experiences of navigating in major routes
and ports of the world with more than 100 ship models and more than 70
exercise areas.
“We have made mandatory for our cadets to attend simulator based training
programmes and plans are in the pipeline for the academy to acquire the
engine room and liquid cargo operation simulators. We hope the latter
simulators will be in place in ALAM before the next batch of seafarers’
intake in January 2006,” said Ganesen.
ALAM has also incorporated full regimentation training for all cadets. With
this approach, ALAM graduates will be better equipped with the soft skills
required to face the challenges ahead of them.
“A high level of discipline is emphasized on the cadets as they are the
future officers and gentlemen of the shipping and maritime industry. It is
refreshing to see the creation of a regimented campus environment in the
evenings after 4.15pm,” he added.
In tandem with the current changes, ALAM is focusing on further enhancements
in five major areas namely seafarers training (nautical studies, marine
engineering courses), near coastal and offshore marine support, FPSO and FSO
operations and maintenance, marine pilotage and maritime professional
(including research and consultancy).
In line with MISC Bhd’s business direction, ALAM has started offering the
Basic Offshore Safety and Emergency Training (BOSET) course wholly conducted
in-house.
The course offers Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Helicopter Underwater
Escape Training approved under Minimum Industry Standards (MIS), set by the
oil and gas industry operating offshore, in and around Malaysian waters.
To further boost its global presence, the academy has recently signed an MOU
with Australian Maritime College to collaborate on cross posting of
lecturers, jointly conduct post graduate courses, exchange of information
and course materials and advisory services.
Aside from the review of the syllabus and curricula, effective 1 July 2005,
ALAM has also introduced a new organization structure that will focus on the
delivery of Maritime Education and Training.
“We have relieved trainers from non-academic administrative duties and want
them to concentrate and produce competent and high quality seafarers,” he
added.
Two major divisions have been created namely training division and corporate
affairs division. The rationalisation exercise allows ALAM to reduce
manpower in the corporate division whilst optimising existing resources and
outsourceing some of the non-core activities like housekeeping and
landscaping.
Ganesen said ALAM recognizes that suitably qualified trainers/ lecturers are
an important asset in a MET institution like ALAM and in view of that a new
remuneration package for trainers takes effect 1 September, 2005. |
