Gdynia Maritime University GMU

On 17-18 April 2024, a sitting of the International Executive Board (IEB) of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) was held at Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, MA in the USA. Taking part in the sitting were the members of the IEB - representatives of maritime universities in the role of regional representatives, and staff from the IAMU Secretariat in Tokyo, including Executive Director Takeshi Nakazawa. The meeting was chaired by HM The Rector of Gdynia Maritime University, Professor Adam Weintrit, the current chair of the Association,  and hosted by the Rector of Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Rear Admiral Francis McDonald. Also in attendance from GMU was the University’s IAMU Contact Person, Dr Adam Przybyłowski.

The sitting focused on reviewing the status of preparations for October’s Annual General Assembly (AGA), the President’s Forum, the next IEB sitting, as well as the organisation of the IAMU International Conference and  IAMUS student conference at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Several other key matters were discussed and settled, including the criteria for the award of honorary membership to persons with a significant connection to the Association. IEB members also reviewed projects currently being undertaken by various consortium and research teams from within the Association as well as giving final approval to projects chosen as part of the most recent competition. Discussions also touched on the challenges associated with recent trends, including the development of automated sailing, and the need for the application of modern methods and tools using AI to the augmented reality of today’s maritime education.