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UMT produces graduates to meet the needs of the country’s maritime sector

UMT produces graduates to meet the needs of the country’s maritime sector

Thursday, 15/06/2023

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The country’s maritime sector has kept on growing each year and the demand for professional labour has never decreased. In fact, there are maritime companies that hire foreigners to become expert labour. This is never desirable!

However, producing holistic graduates that align with the modern ways is a challenge for universities. Furthermore, nowadays the maritime sector has applied the industrial revolution 4.0 and adapted the Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is among the institutions that focus on the maritime and marine fields. The role played by these higher institutions of learning is important to meet the needs of industries and sectors that contribute to the country’s economic growth.

Areas of studies offered include logistics management, supply chain, port operations, and shipping system.

To comply with the standards set by the authorities, UMT pays a particular attention to the qualification of instructors and will only appoint those that are competent and have experience in the maritime field.

UMT also provides the latest state-of-the-art facilities, such as a ship simulation room that allows students to learn relevant knowledge and have an almost a real-life experience. Not only that, UMT also owns a vessel, RV Discovery, with a length of 35 metres. Apart from being used for teaching and learning, RV Discovery is used for activities relating to oceanographic research and is equipped with the latest technology at par with research vessels from overseas, with sailing ability of 4,000 nautical miles with having to refuel. RV Discovery can remain at sea for two weeks.

UMT welcomes the efforts by the relevant ministries to introduce several initiatives, such as the 2u2i programme (two years at the university and two years in the industry), 3U1 (three years at the university and one year in the industry), Industry in the Classroom, and Work-based Learning (WBL), which have been planned to assist in the country’s progress.

Dr. Izyan Munirah Zaideen, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Maritime Studies, said the maritime field is the largest field involved in generating the country’s economic growth and it consists of various subsectors.

“Malaysia is classified as a maritime country as it is geographically located at the main pathway of international trades.

“The integration of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) can provide benefits especially to the shipping sector, in that investments can be brought into this sector through trading activities.

“Generally, the maritime industry covers several sectors, such as ports and shipping, tourism, and fisheries.

“All these sectors can provide a positive impact to Malaysia’s economic growth in line with the aim of attaining the status of a developed country,” she said.

 

According to Dr. Izyan, the sustainability of the maritime industry is the core of Malaysia’s economic prosperity, as it provides employment opportunities, investment generations, and other benefits that can be enjoyed by the masses.

 

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Corporate Communications Office
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu