16 February 2015

Earlier last week, I took a train from London’s Paddington Station to visit Plymouth University. The purpose of my visit was to discuss how we could promote maritime subjects in higher education and explore the possibility of cooperation between Plymouth University and the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden – such as the provision of teaching staff from Plymouth University or sending post-graduate students from Plymouth to WMU to learn more about maritime governance at IMO.

After a short introduction to the University over lunch with industry representatives and the University management team, lead by Interim Vice Chancellor Professor David Coslett, I was taken by Professor Jingjing Xu of the Business Faculty on a tour of the facilities of the maritime department, including the most up-to-date simulator and ocean research facility. The facilities are excellent indeed, and I enjoyed the opportunity to join with the students in a navigation of the coast of Devon in the ship simulator.

I was introduced by the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Professor Nikolaos Tzokas, to hundreds of students studying maritime subjects. I enjoyed talking to students in the auditorium: I spoke about my career after my time spent studying naval architecture at Osaka University, gave an overview of developments in the shipping industry over the last half century, the achievements of IMO and the established global system of shared responsibilities for maritime governance, the current level of safety and accidents, maritime security issues – including piracy and maritime migration aboard unsafe boats and vessels, the importance of education and so on. I encouraged the students to work hard, with a creative and pioneering spirit, both at University and also in the industry after graduation.

I always feel inspired when I address students at WMU and other Universities and academic institutions and I felt exactly the same when I was addressing students at Plymouth University. I appreciate very much the Vice Chancellor providing me such an enjoyable and precious experience, and I requested him to support the activities of IMO and continue to provide young people at the University with excellent opportunities to learn about maritime subjects.

I will continue to visit maritime educational institutions in the context of promoting maritime education and training during the course of this year.

Koji