Report of the
Education and Training Working Group
Executive Summary
Education and Training in Marine Science and Technology (MST) are vitally important to the UK as a maritime nation, and seem likely to become increasingly so. Climate change impacts on the coastal zone, marine resource and environmental management issues, and predicted increases in shipping-related activities over the next decade, all emphasise the growth potential of MST in markets on a global scale. Many countries throughout the world are showing increased awareness of the need to enhance training capabilities in MST, recognising that multidisciplinary approaches are required in science, technology and engineering, and the UK is well poised to compete in such developments. There are needs for trained personnel at all levels, with relevance to the UK and worldwide, in the following areas of MST application:- marine transport design and construction;
- offshore oil and gas exploration;
- molecular biology and biotechnology;
- environmental quality assurance and resource management;
- analysis of large data bases.
The diversity and quality of MST Education and Training in the UK provide excellent opportunities which are strongly sought after in the UK and from overseas. However, several critical issues need to be considered for coherent, multidisciplinary MST courses to be developed further, to compete in world markets for the provision of such training. We recommend that the IACMST convene a forum of marine educators with representatives of Learned Societies, Professional Institutions, Research Councils and employers to consider MST course structures in the context of the following:
- balance of transferable and core-discipline skills;
- risks of excessive modularisation;
- course accreditation;
- students as customers;
- employer requirements;
- continuing professional development;
- provision of skills for the global market place;
- Dearing Report recommendations concerning a framework for higher education qualifications;
- need for a continuing annual forum of Heads of MST HEI Departments as a focus for future developments in, and enhanced public understanding of, MST.