Dalian Statement
The 1st IAMU Presidents'/Rectors' Forum

1. RECALLING Article I Paragraph B of the Basic Agreement of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) entitled "Shared Recognitions" concerning the ideology and philosophy of IAMU in relation to that the all members of IAMU share the understandings that:

1.1 Globalization has been progressing rapidly in the international shipping arena;
1.2 Safety, Security and Environmental Protection are critical issues for the maritime sector; and
1.3 Passing on maritime skills and knowledge to the following generations needs to be achieved on a global scale;
1.4 The shipping industry is a service industry, in which human resources are the critical element;
1.5 It is only feasible to secure, and to preserve highly qualified human resources in the maritime industry through effective education and training; and
1.6 Effective education and training in the maritime sector derives from:

1.6.1 scientific and academic approach;
1.6.2 development of a clear link between background education and practical skills
and management techniques; and
1.6.3 focus on quality.

2. RECALLING FURTHER Article II of the Basic Agreement of IAMU entitled "The Objectives" intended to provide Members with the Vision of IAMU ideology to use the network of member universities/faculties to work collaboratively to achieve the following Objectives:

2.1 To provide opportunities for critical issues and developments in Maritime Education and Training to be discussed and resolved in academic and practical ways;
2.2 To contribute to the development of effective management systems to ensure safe and secure operations in all sectors of the maritime industry; and
2.3 To develop an appropriate and recognized system for passing on maritime skills and knowledge to the following generations on a global basis.

3. RECALLING ALSO Article III of the Basic Agreement of IAMU entitled "The Goals" intended to provide Members with the goals of IAMU are to use a scientific and practical approach to:

3.1 Develop a comprehensive MET System for following generations;
3.2 Establish an effective Maritime Safety Management System for the international maritime community; and
3.3 Prepare develop standardized Undergraduate Curricula and an International Certification System for Competency.

4. DRAWING ATTENTION that Article IV of the Basic Agreement of IAMU entitled "IAMU Activities" intended to guide Members:

4.1 To seek participation of as many qualified maritime universities/faculties as possible;
4.2 To maintain regular and ongoing communication and exchange between members;

5. RECALLING FURTHER Paragraph G of Article VII of the Basic Agreement and Annex I of the above Agreement entitled "Working Groups" and RECOGNIZING that such areas of activity as:

5.1 Maritime Education and Training (both undergraduate and postgraduate levels), including Quality Standard and Evaluation and Assessment systems;
5.2 Certification system for competency for the graduates of IAMU member institutions;
5.3 Maritime Safety and Security Management;
5.4 Protection of Environment; and
5.5 Promoting Global Maritime Excellence

are inevitably and functionally linked among themselves as a System and are to be based and continuously improved on the scientific and academic analysis and effective Feedback from Industry.

6. BEING AWARE of BIMCO/ISF Manpower 2005 Update Summary Report on the Worldwide Demand and Supply of seafarers and BEING AWARE ALSO of Shortage of qualified Officers in the World Commercial Fleet including extreme situation with the shortage of LNG qualified Officers, so that all the IAMU Members are to do their best to improve the above mentioned situation.

7. RECALLING IMO Resolution A.970(24) STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ORGANIZATION and RECOGNIZING the challenges of the expected NGO Status of IAMU in the International Maritime Organization, that links more closely World MET with Shipping Industry and all Maritime Community and UNDERSTANDING ALSO that the upcoming changes in STCW 78 Convention and Code intend to improve the Response of World MET to Industry Requests.

8. UNDERSTANDING that substandard shipping originates from substandard MET followed by substandard skill of Officers and Crew; and that Human Factor and its Elements play the high priority role in Safety, Security and Environment Protection.

9. REAFFIRMING respectfully the immense activity in MET of distinguished Colleagues from relative organizations and projects as Association of Maritime Education and Training Institutions in Asia Pacific, Maritime Education and Training Harmonization(METHAR), Asia Maritime & Fisheries University Forum (AMFUF), etc.

10. RECOGNIZING that the excellence of recruits depends on attracting the best young men and women into maritime education and training and the poor image of shipping industry must be overcome.

BEARING IN MIND all the above very significant for MET and Industry trends, developments and challenges in the shipping and maritime world and also the positive and valuable 6 year experience of IAMU Activity, the Presidents and Rectors of IAMU member institutions hereby confer and agree that:

a) IAMU should clearly focus its activities to solve these challenges through mutual collaboration among the members under the clear direct leadership of Presidents and Rectors of member institutions.

b) IAMU develops a STRATEGIC PLAN FOR its Activity for the FIVE-YEAR period 2008 to 2012 based on the emerging trends, developments and challenges with its approval at the 8th Annual General Assembly in 2007;

c) the International Executive Board of IAMU develops a HIGH-LEVEL ACTION PLAN OF THE IAMU AND ACTIVITIES AND PRIORITIES FOR THE 2008-2009 BIENNIUM with its approval at the 8th Annual General Assembly in 2007;

d) the International Excutive Board of IAMU develops the set of Performance indicators for assessing the performance of the IAMU Activities for its approval at the 8th Annual General Assembly in 2007;

e) the Presidents and Rectors should personally participate on regular basis in the Annual President's/Rector's Forums during the official time of General Assemblies to review and assess the results of the performances carried out.

In commemoration of the calling of this 1st Presidents' Forum of IAMU at the 7th Annual General Assembly at Dalian Maritime University by Prof. Dr. Wang Zuwen, Chair of the Local Executive Committee and the President of Dalian Maritime University, this agreement is to be referred to as "Dalian Statement of 2006" (The Dalian Statement).

Those participating Presidents and Rectors who endorse what is contained above witness the signature as attached.

15th October, 2006
Dalian Maritime University
Dalian, China

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