Higher education in maritime technology

Although marine technology encompasses all disciplines of engineering and technology in the marine environment, the three of the main disciplines are (i) Marine engineering, (ii) Nautical science and technology and (iii) naval architecture and ocean engineering. However, the essence of the three disciplines is different: whereas the first two disciplines require engineers to be proficient in operation and maintenance of marine vehicles and structures (as per IMO requirement) working mainly at sea, the education in naval architecture and ocean engineering embraces all aspects of design, research, development, production, trials and effectiveness of marine vehicles and structures. The syllabi and curricula of these three subjects for a bachelor's degree overlap to a large extent. Keeping this in view, a polyvalent course combining marine engineering and nautical studies has been evolved and implemented at various institutions internationally. With increased competitive industrial environment, it has become necessary for an engineer to have multi-disciplinary skills and knowledge. Such an engineer who may serve as a Classification Society Surveyor, a Government officer, a shipbuilder and repairer or an ocean engineer in offshore industry, has to acquire adequate knowledge in all these fields. Further, with a few years of technical experience, one must move on to techno-managerial and techno-financial level where appropriate management skills become relevant. A higher education program in the marine technology field must provide such opportunities. The authors believe that there could be a number of educational programs that can cater to these needs: (i) polyvalent courses in two or more of the above disciplines leading to an integrated Master's degree program or dual Bachelor's degree programme, (ii) a post-graduate level programme after graduation catering to an alternative specialisation and (iii) a one-year techno-managerial programme for professional engineers of adequate experience for higher levels of responsibility in the industry. IIT Kharagpur has started a one-year post-graduate diploma program in maritime operation and management for Chief engineer Certificate holders satisfying the third requirement stated above.