Arab Academy For Science, Technology & Maritime Transport Prof. Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghafar Ismail President- AASTMT

1. Arab Academy For Science, Technology & Maritime Transport Prof. Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghafar Ismail President- AASTMT

2. A Note of Recognition Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen It is my pleasure, and honor as well, to address such a constellation of experts gathered on the occasion of the 12th FEMIP Conferencefor a noble cause, attempting to achieve a sustainable and inclusive economic development in the Mediterranean region. Thanks are due to the laudable efforts of the European Community, European Investment Bank and the International Maritime Organization.

3. AASTMT The Academy, an expertise institution for education, training, consultation and research, is affiliated to the League of Arab States. Thanks to the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)and the Arab countries, the Academy, which started as a regional institute for maritime transport in 1972, has become a self-financing renowned academy serving not only the Arab countries but the African world as well. 3

4. AASTMT Today, the Academy comprises 8 colleges, 10 institutes, 13 centers, 6 deaneries and 2 complexes, namely, the Integrated Simulators Complex and the International Maritime Organization Compound, all of which provide quality educational, training, research and consultation services to students from all over the world from the Academy’s campuses in Egypt and Syria, and hopefully from Yemen and Sudan in the foreseeable future, God Willing. 4

5. AASTMT Since its inception, the Academy’s Administration has adopted a policy resting on three bases: 1. Providing the maritime industry with highly qualified personnel who can achieve the cherished objectives set by IMO for this industry. 2. Maintaining relations with all maritime institutions, as well as other institutions operating in the global trade industry with a view to developing national & international economy. 3. Participating in local, regional and international maritime clusters and networks with a view to exchanging expertise to the benefit of all concerned. 5

6. The First Base: Educating and Training Highly Qualified Personnel To prepare personnel who can contribute to reducing the negative environmental impacts from marine and maritime economic activities, such as vessel-source pollution, waste, emissions and the discharge of noxious substances, the Administration established an Integrated Simulators Complex for holding training sessions in effective monitoring and surveillance techniques. 6

7. Integrated Simulators Complex The Integrated Simulators Complex system components Three of the system components are:  1) Crisis and Disaster Management Simulator Contingency planning for the management of environmental disasters is vital. This is due to the vast increase in the rates of disaster incidents which already threaten the natural life in many places all over the world.   7

8. Integrated Simulators Complex This accounts for the interest the Academy takes in intensifying its role in the enhancement of crisis and disaster management in the region. This is achieved through the provision of consultation and advisory services to concerned institutions, designing special training courses, and increasing awareness through International Forums, Conventions and Protocols. 8

9. Integrated Simulators Complex 2) Oil Spill Combating Training Centre (OSCC) The Centre includes almost all types of equipment used in combating oil spills such as booms, skimmers, dispersants spraying equipment, different types of sorbents, etc., all of which fulfill the requirements of International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) IMO Model Courses. 9

10. Integrated Simulators Complex 3) Chemical Analysis Laboratory The laboratory undertakes physical and chemical analysis and tests for most of the environmental samples. It is also used as a tool for research in several fields, in addition to its role in assisting consultations training technical services. In 1996, the laboratory initiated its work in co-operation with the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) by applying the “Fingerprinting Technique”. 10

11. Training Programs The Diving Program In addition to the training programs held in the Simulators Complex, the College of Maritime Transport and Technology offers other training programs. Diving is now considered one of the main activities and jobs in the offshore and inshore industries. Offshore industry is one of the most important economical sources around the world. Diving is now also considered a main branch in several activities, including, but not limited to, civil engineering works, harbour works, tourism, etc. 11

12. Training Programs Meteorology Program Weather can help in producing economic prosperity or causing some disasters. The mission of the Meteorological Program is to provide applicable classroom training, workshops, seminars, conferences as well as on-site technical assistance to the personnel working in such fields as Environmental Protection Sector, Oil Sector, Ports and shipping Sectors, Feasibility Study Sectors, Agriculture Sector, Irrigation and Water Resources Sectors, Beaches Protection Sectors and Port Design and Breakwater Sectors.. 12

13. Sea Training Sea Training on Board AIDA 4 The cadets of the College of Maritime Transport and Technology get their training on board AIDA 4, a technologically advanced training ship. 13

14. The Maritime Safety Institute (MSI) The Maritime Safety Institute (MSI) is dedicated to learning and competency development for the offshore and maritime industry. To achieve the goal of improving the knowledge and performance of offshore and maritime personnel, the MSI operates in compliance with the premier quality standard (DNV, ISO 9001:2008) to implement international training standards such as the International Maritime Organization, offshore petroleum industry training organization (OPITO) and other globally recognized instruments. 14

15. The Maritime Safety Institute (MSI) The MSI employs highly motivated lecturers and instructors with significant training and operational experience in personal safety, survival training, escape of helicopter under water training, prevention & firefighting and search and rescue operations. It merits mentioning that this expertise, which is equipped with modern teaching aids, training equipment and simulators, works in cooperation with Survival System Canada. 15

16. The Second Base: Maintaining Relations with Maritime Institutions The Academy’s Administration has been keen on concluding memoranda of understanding with maritime educational institutes, universities and organizations with a view to exchanging expertise and widening the scope of information exchange. A few examples illustrate this point: 16

17. MOU between IMO, Egypt Government and AASTMT (IMO MOU) The Academy’s excellent record in providing maritime education and training resulted in the signing of 1st Mou with IMO in October 2001 during the visit of H.E. the Secretary General to the Academy. In the context of the great success of the Mou, a success embodied in conferences as well as local and regional workshops and seminars, in which representatives of Arab, Asian and African countries participated; the Mou was renewed in 2003,2005,2008 and 2011. Thus, the scope of the MOU is extending to ensure the presence of the IMO in the region through the services rendered by the Academy. 17

18. Relations with Maritime Institutions MOU with e-TQM College in Dubai This MOU was concluded to facilitate academic cooperation between both parties to contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and qualification of individuals concerning Quality and Standardization related matters in the Arab Region. MOU with UTM University, Malaysia This MOU was concluded with a view to promoting applied research and exchanging Faculty Members. 18

19. The Third Base: Participating in Local, Regional and International Maritime Clusters and Networks The Academy’s Administration is convinced that our students must be exposed to different cultures, speak different languages and experience different business practices in order to achieve success in a highly competitive market place. For this purpose, the Administration established the International Agreements and Cooperation Unit (IACU). The IACU coordinates all AASTMT existing international programs, and works on expanding relations with foreign universities and widening the scope of programs. The IACU practices in and organizes international seminars, partners’ fairs, orientation conferences, job fairs and staff training sessions. 19

20. Recognition of Certificates Apart from ratifying and fully implementing IMO Conventions, the Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety has been keen on effecting recognition of certificates to the interest of the involved parties. The European Union unanimously recognized on 17/9/2012 the maritime education and training certification system adopted by the Academy on behalf of the Arab Republic of Egypt, an indication of the vital role the Academy plays to the interest of the maritime industry. 20

21. conclusion On conclusion, I would like to stress our willingness and readiness to participate in any local, regional and/or international network of maritime training institutes and centers, which – I am confident - will contribute to providing targeted opportunities for exchanges and partnering across academies and students. Sincere thanks are due to the organizers of, and the participants in, this conference. Thanks you all 21

22. Thank you www.aast.edu 22