582
ECDIS (Electronic‐Chart Display and Information
Systems).Theuniversityhasperformedstandardsfor
ECDIS in 1995, followed by deliverance of IMO
Model Course on Operational Use of ECDIS (2000),
Interim Guidance on Training in the Use of ECDIS
(2001), IAMU Model Course on ECDIS (2004),
Performance Standards for ECDIS (2006),
an
Operational Handbook on ECDIS (2009), the STCW
ConventioninManila(2010)andIMOModelCourse
onOperationalUseofECDIS(2012).
The Polish activities on ETO (Electro‐Technical
Officers)arealsoperformedbytheGMUandreferto
the definition and mandatory requirements for
certification of Electro‐Technical Officer
and Senior
Electro‐Technical Officer (Poland, France, United
Kingdom, Bulgaria – 2007), consolidation of the
requirementsforelectro‐technicalofficersatoperation
and management levels (Poland, France, United
Kingdom, Bulgaria and Iran – 2009), decision to
include in STCW Convention requirements for
electro‐technical officers at operation level and
electro‐technical
ratings at support level (2010), the
STCWConvention,Manila(2010),IMOModelCourse
DraftforElectro‐TechnicalOfficers(2012).
More comprehensive information concerning
Polish activities in IMO on Electro‐technical Officers
requirements can be found in [4][5]. That paper
summarizes the legislative way and a role of the
Gdynia Maritime
University in a comprehensive
reviewoftheIMOSTCWconventionandSTCWcode
aswellastheconsequencesresultingfromit.
3 ADOPTIONOFTHEGMUPROGRAMMESTO
THENATIONALANDEUROPEAN
QUALIFICATIONFRAMEWORKPROCEDURES
In Poland and in the GMU’s programmes and
procedures, the implementation of the National
Qualification Framework
for higher education and
the life‐long learning have been designed to be
adequatetotheEuropeanframeslevels.Itmeansthat
levels of the Polish Qualifications Framework
correspond with eight tiers specified in European
Framework of Qualifications [2][6], defined in
Recommendation of European Parliament and
European Union Board. Moreover,
the
correspondence of the National Framework of
QualificationswiththeEuropeanFramework,ensures
transparency of the system of higher education in
Polandandisabaseofcompatibilityofqualifications
(diplomas) obtained in Polish universities with the
qualificationsgainedinothercountries.
Asanexample–aconceptofeducationprocess
at
Marine Engineering Faculty of GMU is shown
below[1].
The first level studies cover two options: a
practicalprofilewith8semestersofthestudyand240
ECTS points (including 6 month practice at sea) as
wellasageneralprofilewith7semestersofthestudy
and 210
ECTS points (including 4‐6 weeks of
industrialpractice).
Thesecondlevelstudiesalsocoverstwooptions:a
practicalprofilewith4semestersofthestudyand120
ECTS points (including 6 months practice at sea,
dedicatedtostudentsgraduatedafterno‐marinefirst
level)aswellasageneralprofile
with3semestersof
thestudyand90ECTSpoints.
Afinaleffectistheexpectedelimination,oratleast
reduction of education obtained in Poland, either in
the case of continuation of education abroad or
internationaljobmarketactivity.
4 CREATIONOFNEWSPECIALISATIONS
This process is caused by
the changes and
modificationsofIMOdocumentsfromoneside,and
inresponsetotheneedsofaglobalandlocallabour
market from another. One of the most important
factorsstipulatingtheconsideredprocessistofinda
good answer to a question: how to attract young
people to maritime
universities, or wider – to
maritime economy career? Experience of the GMU,
confirmed with a really satisfying results of the
recruitment procedures, confirmed that it is based,
among others, on creation of several new
specializationsinthelastyears[1].Forinstance,atthe
FacultyofNavigation there were introduced
Marine
Transport and Logistics Systems, Offshore
TechnologiesandArcticNavigation.AttheFacultyof
Marine Engineering – the Marine Power Plant and
OffshoreConstructionOperation,RepairEngineering
Management and Operation of Industrial
installations. At the Faculty of Marine Electrical
EngineeringtherewereShipElectro‐Automationand
Data Communication Systems and Networks.
And
finally, at the Faculty of Entrepreneurship and
Commodity Science there were Commodity Science
and Quality Management, Modern Tools of
Management, Human Resources Management, IT in
TransportandTradeaswellasNutritionServicesand
Dietetics.
Theseactions,undertakenbytheGMUauthorities,
are resulting with a very good reputation
of the
university, confirmed by a growing number of
candidates and a very positive opinion of the
shipownersandemployers.
5 DEVELOPMENTOFRESEARCHINSELECTED
AREAS
Themainfocusoftherecentlyconductedandquickly
developed research is concentrated on
implementationofnewadvancedtechnologies[7],as
well as on
effective and reliable technical and
organizationalsolutions.Themostimportantprojects
are dedicated to and implemented in the numerous
areas, but their key points are related to the highest
values for the world marine community today, it
meanssafety,qualityandenvironmentalfriendliness
[8].The prioritiesofthe scientificareas
areresulting
fromthe“hottopics”intheinternationalcooperation
(e.g.7
th
EuropeanFrameworkProgramme)aswellas
the expectations and challenges formulated by the
industry. They cover, among other things, such
directions as: Information and Communication
Technologies, Energy, Environment, Transport and
alsoFood,AgricultureandFisheries,Biotechnology.