Rector Represents GMU at MESIS' 24 Maritime Education, Shipping and Innovation Summit and Centenary of Portuguese Maritime School ENIDH
On 13-16 November 2024, the Maritime Education, Shipping, and Innovation Summit took place at the Escola Superior Náutica Infante D. Henrique (ENIDH) in Oeiras, Portugal. Taking part in the conference, held under the slogan ‘Navigating the Future’, was HM The Rector of GMU, Professor Adam Weintrit. The Rector was one of the speakers during a panel entitled 'Anticipating the future: skills and certification', which focused on the topic of the evolution of skill sets and certifications required by future maritime professionals.
During the conference, which took place at the end of celebrations for the centenary of the establishment of the ENIDH, maritime experts discussed key topics connected with maritime education, marine transport, and innovation. Eight discussion panels were held over the four-day event with experts from industry and the academic community focusing on a range of topics including alternative fuels and retrofitting, digitalisation and efficiency in shipping, the energy transition in ports and the offshore industry, sustainability on ships and in ports, skills and certification required in the future maritime industry, and the future needs of maritime training. Both the conference and celebrations of the ENIDH's 100th anniversary came to a close with the grand opening of the International Center for Maritime Safety.
Founded in 1924, ENIDH is the only institution in Portugal accredited by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). It plays a key role in training commercial navy sailors and port sector specialists, both at the national and international levels. The modern Portuguese maritime school draws on the tradition of the oldest maritime school in Europe, founded in Sagres in the 15th century by Prince Henry the Navigator.
The MESIS ’24 conference came at the end of celebrations for the centenary of the establishment of ENIDH and the admittance of the School into the membership body of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU). ENIDH was officially accepted as a member of the Association by the Chair of the International Association of Maritime Universities in October during the IAMU Annual General Assembly AGA 2024 at Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the USA.
During the conference, the Rector met with a representative of the Angola Maritime Authority, Lutonadio Masala, who cooperates closely with the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources of the Republic of Angola, Professor Carmen Ivelise Van Dúnem do Sacramento Neto, who is also the ex-Minister of Higher Education of Angola and the former Rector of the Academy of Fishing and Maritime Sciences, Namibe, Angola. The talks focused on the renewal of close cooperation between GMU and the Angolan Academy.
One of the attractions of the conference was a study visit to the European Maritime Security Agency (EMSA).
At the end of the conference, the Rector invited Professor Vitor Manuel dos Reis Franco Correia and Professor João Frade, the President and Vice-President of ENIDH, to join the scientific committee of the TransNav International Conference 2024, organised in June next year by the GMU Faculty of Navigation and The Nautical Institute. The Rector also engaged in talks with the President of The Nautical Institute, Captain Trevor Bailey, on the organisation of the conference, and the activity of the Institute’s Poland branch.
