We’ve come a long way…

President on current role of CMU and its prospects

The organization that officially became the Caribbean Maritime University on World Maritime Day last year has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1980 as the Jamaica Maritime Training Institute. Here, Professor Fritz Pinnock, who became executive director in 2006, describes the organization’s remarkable journey to international status – and the expanded range of opportunities it now offers.

The Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) is a beacon of great hope and promise, not just for Jamaica but for the Caribbean region. Through strategic partnerships, the impact of the university, as an agent of change in the maritime and allied industries, is felt internationally. This is achieved as a result of leveraging the relevance of its program offerings, its commitment to quality and its thrust for greater internationalization.

It was the late Maya Angelou who said: “I have great respect for the past…If you don’t know where you’ve come from, you don’t know where you’re going.”

This provides a stark reminder that the CMU’s future is fueled by its past successes, which have been consistent and noteworthy over the last three and a half decades. It is this rich heritage that will propel it forward to even greater successes in the next five years.

Humble beginnings

The CMU has navigated the long, tortuous journey from its inception on 15 September 1980 to its present elite status as the first maritime university established at the international level in Jamaica. This noble institution, which has endured three name changes in as many decades, began as the Jamaica Maritime Training Institute, operating from 9 Norman Road in two renovated offices, with a total of 30 students. The JMTI was later relocated to the present location of its main campus, Palisadoes Park, Norman Manley Highway, in May 1984.

The next major milestone for the institution occurred in 1990 when training was expanded to embrace the global market. For the first time, non-Jamaican nationals became part of the student population. Then in May 1992 the first Jamaican-born executive director was appointed. In January 1993 the institution transitioned into a statutory body under the laws of Jamaica and was renamed the Jamaica Maritime Institute (JMI).

Gradual expansion

Expanding program offerings to meet the needs of the dynamic markets served by the institution has always been a priority. September 1994 saw the introduction of the Diploma in Shipping and Logistics (DISL program), funded by the Canadian International Development Agency. This provided higher education of a specialized nature in a critical growth area. In furtherance of this mandate, in 1997 the institution signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Technology, Jamaica, establishing an Associate Degree program in Industrial Systems, Operation and Maintenance (ADISOM). Three years later in May 2000 a formal declaration of reciprocal recognition of the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW 1995) and Certificates of Competency was issued to Jamaica by the UK Maritime & Coast Guard Agency. This positioned the institution as an internationally recognized organization, using Europe as a launch pad. In December of that year Jamaica was listed among 72 countries on the IMO’s white list of nations complying with STCW 95, making the JMI the only IMO-recognized institution in the Caribbean.

In 2001 the JMI was renamed Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) to reflect the expanded scope of its programs and activities and in 2004 the CMI gained accreditation for the Diploma in International Shipping and Logistics and ADISOM programs from the University Council of Jamaica.

I joined the team in 2006, introducing to the organization the Blue Ocean Strategy, and transformed the marine and professional division to a paramilitary management style with a premium on discipline, employability and alignment to the global maritime and logistics industry. This was to lay the foundation for the rapid growth and development that would precede the attainment of university status. From 2007 to 27 September 2017 we embarked on a relentless campaign to achieve the latter. During this period the CMU accomplished 12 major strategic defining successes:

• Multiple international program accreditation
• Institutional accreditation
• Premier status as a differentiated institution within the saturated local tertiary education landscape
• Attainment of ISO 9001:2008 – subsequently upgraded to 9001:2015
• Numerous awards for quality and leadership
• Growth of over 300 per cent in student population
• Significant expansion of core programs
• Numerous local and international partnerships
• Spearheading of elite sports in education such as rowing, fencing and cheerleading
• Training and certification of key players in the local and international maritime industry
• Moving from bottom to top place as the fastest-growing tertiary institution in Jamaica and the Caribbean
• Investment of over US$ 1 billion in technology to diversify.

A new era

On 28 September 2017 the Caribbean Maritime University was born. The CMU brings with it changes in processes, people and prospects. In our chancellor – His Royal Majesty Drolor Bosso Adamtey I – we now have a global leader, entrepreneur, influencer and thinker who is helping us to navigate the vast changing international landscape. The university is organized into five faculties, a school of graduate studies and four centers. These centers are strategically established to align education and training with theory as well as to promote research and development in a bid to meet industry needs and to solve problems through consultancy and through sustainable and collaborative solutions by adopting an oriented approach to improving the maritime and related sectors.

The way forward

The faculties are specially created to meet the needs of the growing student population and the anticipated growth to be had from international students. The Faculty of Marine and Nautical Studies offers programs that provide training for persons wishing to develop a career in seafaring. Students enrolled in these programs are trained in the rudiments and theory of nautical studies and are taught shipboard operations to the management level. This has always been the nucleus of the institution and will be strengthened as we expand its focus.

There is a drive to modernize and develop the university through technology and to attract and produce technologically sound problem-solvers. In this vein, the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Technology was born. It spearheads engineering-led, research-based academic activities geared towards a culture of applied research. It focuses on multidisciplinary growth areas that are globally relevant such as biotechnology, alternative energy, robotics and integrated engineering.

In order to support the drivers of economic growth and development in the region, the Faculty of Shipping and Logistics was established. This faculty provides salient training in logistics, which is an integral component of every organization but particularly so in production, distribution and trade. The Faculty of Advanced Skills and Professional Development serves primarily customized industry needs and those seeking alternative pathways to educational advancement in a variety of areas.

Emerging

The School of Graduate Studies and Research is an emerging area of development in which the university is investing to ensure that higher-level studies are undertaken in critical areas of shipping, logistics, maritime studies and related areas. The programs, including the doctorate of philosophy, are offering as dual degrees in part with Mokpo National Maritime University in South Korea and Antwerp Maritime Academy in Belgium.

The centers of excellence that operate within the Office of the President cater to a range of needs. The first is the Maritime Training Center, which offers all IMO Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. These courses are approved qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships and for engineers.

Sophisticated

The second is the Festo Authorized and Certified Training (FACT) Center to be launched in the second quarter of 2018. This center comprises the most sophisticated Festo laboratories in the world, actively bridging the gap between academia and the industry. It is a multidisciplinary laboratory that brings together all the disciplines such as robotics, hydraulics and Industry 4.0. It will offer a range of courses including Master of Engineering in Mechatronics, Master of Engineering Automation, Bachelor of Engineering in Automation and Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics along with multiple professional courses.

The third is the Andrew Wheatley Center for Digital Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing, which was launched on 15 November 2017 and forms the most sophisticated facility for 3D printing and additive manufacturing services and training in the Caribbean.

The fourth is the Center for Climate Change and Renewable Energy, which will be established in 2018.

In addition, we have launched the first drone pilot training program and customized services. These centers and new initiatives are meeting directly the needs of the region and further afield. Disruptions such as the industrial internet of things, big data and artificial intelligence will soon be featured at the CMU. We are at the cutting edge of technology. We happen to be in a developing nation; but we are competing with the First 

Caribbean Maritime University honors CSA members

Four members of the Caribbean Shipping Association – Grantley Stephenson, Ronald Malins-Smith, Marc Sampson and Stephen Bell – were honored by the Caribbean Maritime University at its inaugural graduation ceremony at the Jamaica Conference Centre on 14 November.

GRANTLEY STEPHENSON

Dr Grantley Stephenson received an honorary degree of Doctor of Science in Port Management for his remarkable contribution to the shipping industry. He has been an influential figure in the region’s shipping industry for over 40 years, 30 of which have been spent in senior management positions at some of the industry’s most integral companies. Among the prominent companies he has helped lead are Kingston Wharves Limited, Jamaica Producers Group Ltd and the Shipping Association of Jamaica.

Dr Stephenson was a member of the initiating team for the Jamaica Maritime Institute, thus paving the way for today’s achievement of full university status. In his current role as chief executive of KWL, he has spearheaded the modernisation and growth strategies that have made the company a key player in developing the nation’s shipping industry. In 2015 he received the Manager of the Year award from the Jamaica Institute of Management.

ROLAND MALINS-SMITH

For his great contribution to the international shipping industry, Dr Roland Malins-Smith received an honorary degree of Doctor of Science in International Shipping. Born in Grenada and educated in Jamaica and the UK, Dr Malins-Smith has held senior positions across the local and international shipping industry. In 1977 he became general manager of the West Indies Shipping Corporation. In 1980 he was appointed vice-president of marketing at the Miami-based Oceanic Steamship Company. By 1992 he was senior vice-president of marketing at Tecmarine Lines in England, which he left that year to start Seafreight Line Ltd and Seafreight Agencies Inc – a lifelong ambition. As an honorary member of the CSA he continues to contribute greatly to the association, serving as chairman of the shipowners and operators group.

MARC SAMPSON

Marc Sampson was inducted into CMU’s hall of fame for his outstanding contribution to the shipping industry as well as for his direct contribution to the development of the university. Formerly president of the Barbados Shipping Association, Mr Sampson is now chairman of the ship agents and private stevedore contractors group on the CSA’s general council. He has worked assiduously to keep the association, and the region at large, at the helm of innovation and development in the industry.

STEPHEN BELL

Stephen Bell, regional vice-president of Seaboard Marine Ltd, was also inducted into the university’s hall of fame. He was honored for his unwavering support for and contribution to the development of the Caribbean shipping industry. Mr Bell was previously chairman of the ship agents and private stevedore contractors group on the CSA’s general council.

Referring to these honors, CMU president Prof. Fritz Pinnock, said: “We are delighted at the Caribbean Maritime University to be honoring stalwarts who have been contributing consistently to the shipping industry.”