IAMU News - Special Edition

ARAB ACADEMY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & MARITIME TRANSPORT COLLEGE OF MARITIME TRANSPORT & TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MARITIME POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

Since its inception in 1972, as one of the Arab League affiliations, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) has been providing educational and training services in a wide range of disciplines, sciences and technologies related to the maritime sector. Bachelor degree programs in both, Maritime Transport and Marine Engineering, together with courses leading to certificates of competency for deck officers, marine engineers and radio officers have been mastered by the Academy and constantly delivered serving a multinational body of students over the past twenty five years. In 1994 the Academy decided to launch higher studies programs to award Master Degree in the field of Maritime Transport and Technology as well as in other disciplines in the sister faculties of the Academy. The Maritime Postgraduate Studies Department was established in the College of Maritime Transport and Technology in January 1994, with a view to achieve the objectives mentioned in the next item. The College of Maritime Transport and Technology has accepted the enrolment of Master Students in 1995, where the first graduate student was awarded his degree in 1997. The College has also accepted a number of Ph.D. students since 1997. The first Ph. D. thesis was admitted in January 2001. In the period between 1997 and 2004, 146 students have been awarded their Master Degrees, and 28 students have been awarded their Ph. D. in Maritime Transport Technology in different disciplines of this field and its related Sciences.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Maritime Postgraduate Studies can be summarized as:

• Providing specialized researches for the maritime industry
• Preparing qualified personnel who can effectively improve and enhance management and operation of the shipping activities
• Providing information database for the maritime transport sector
• Assisting postgraduate candidates in enhancing their career opportunities.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

In February 1995, the first group of postgraduate students started their postgraduate studies in the fields of Maritime, and Marine Engineering Technology, with some majors in areas of specialization such as:

• Protection of the Marine Environment
• Ships Operation and Marine Safety
• Hydrographic Surveying
• Advanced Navigation Technology, and
• Marine Engineering Surveying

The educational postgraduate courses offered are designed in such a way that helps researchers achieve and develop high professional and academic standards through acquisition of the fundamentals of research methodology.

The program provides research students with invaluable opportunities to interact with, and benefit from, the expertise of senior faculty members in varied research areas.

THE DEGREES AWARDED

The Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT) - College of Maritime Transport & Technology through the Department of Maritime Postgraduate studies awards the following degrees in Maritime Transport Technology:

• High Diploma of one year's duration, i.e., two semesters,
• Master Degree:
  • By courses and research (thesis) of two year's duration, i.e., four semesters.
  • By research only (thesis) of three year's duration, i.e., six semesters.
• Doctorate Degree by research (thesis) of three years duration, i.e., six semesters

a) Objectives of the High Diploma

The objectives of the High Diploma are to enhance the student's scope of knowledge, develop his mastery of data collection, analysis and presentation, and help him acquire the basic skills required for preparing a research project with a view to preparing highly qualified cadres who are able to push the development process forward.

b) Objectives of the Master Degree

The objectives of the Master Degree are to help the students master the basic principles of research methodology with a view to conducting research in a specialized area and eventually writing a dissertation which demonstrates mastery of applying research methods and observance of the academic rules of dissertation layout.

c) Objectives of Ph.D. Degree

The objectives of the Ph. D. degree are preparing students conceptually and materially for formatting the research problem and providing scientific and applicable solutions and provide significant contributions.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Application for the High Diploma requires holders of a university degree.
• Application for Master Degree requires a university degree with grade "good", a recognized International test of English: a TOEFL score of 450 or equivalent IELTS band score.
• Application for the Doctorate Degree requires a Master Degree in the same field and a recognized International test of English: a TOEFL score of 550 or equivalent IELTS band score.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

• High Diploma Program
  Graduation Requirements (21 credit hours)
  • Studying 6 courses (18 credit hours), 4 of which are basic courses and 2 of which are supplementary courses; and
  • Preparation of a research report in the last semester (10000 - 15000 words) that shall be presented in a public session at the end of the program (3 CR).
• Master Program
  Graduation Requirements (42 credit hours)
  • First: Master Degree by courses and research (42 credit hours)
    • Successful completion of 10 courses (30 credit hours), 6 of which are basic courses, and 4 are supplementary courses; and
    • Preparation and submission of a dissertation (thesis) in the fourth semester (12 credit hours), which shall be discussed in a viva voce examination.
  • Second: Master Degree by research only (42 credit hours)
    • Submitting and defending a thesis in a topic related to the Maritime Industry, safety and protection of the environment, and Logistics at the end of the specified research period (6 semesters). The thesis shall be discussed in a viva voce examination. Candidates following this stream shall be available in the Academy for a fortnight every semester, or a month every year, to discuss the progress of research with their supervisors.
• Time Limits
  • Master Degree by courses & research: 4 semesters (two academic years)
  • Master Degree by research only for 6 semesters, or 3 semesters for holders of Diploma in the same specialization.
• Ph.D. Program
  Graduation Requirements (42 credit hours)
  • Candidates should submit and defend a thesis in a topic related to the field of Maritime Industry, safety and protection of the environment and Logistics at the end of the specified research period (6 semesters). The thesis shall be discussed in a viva voce examination. Candidates following this stream shall be available in the Academy for a fortnight every semester, or a month every year, to discuss the progress of research with their supervisors.