IMO Visiting Lecturer on STCW Convention

Mr Jongchul Park, Technical Officer for the Maritime Training and Human Element Section of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), was a Visiting Lecturer for students in the Maritime Education and Training (MET) Specialization on 6 July. The special lecture focused on Contemporary Human Element Issues and Developments of the STCW Convention, 1978, and complemented the core instruction by resident faculty for the MET students.

Mr Park’s lecture focused on the IMO instruments and approaches to addressing the important issue of the “Human Element” including in IMO’s strategic plan (Res. A. 1110(30)). Contemporary developments relating to the STCW Convention were presented. Other topics discussed were issues related to Principles of Minimum Safe Manning, fatigue on board ship as well as legal and education/training issues arising from the innovative technical systems such as Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships. Mr Park also presented IMO’s work relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular as it relates to health and safety protocols, the designation of seafarers as key workers and IMO circulars relating to, among others, training and certification. Other IMO officials joined the session and contributed to the discussions that followed Mr Park’s lecture.

Mr Park is a 2012 graduate of the World Maritime University (WMU) and his experience includes five years working on board merchant ships as a deck officer. His main task at IMO is to support the establishment and implementation of IMO instruments in relation to maritime training and education, and human element matters. Mr Park also supports the development and revision of IMO model courses which are to assist maritime training institutions in their establishment of training programmes and courses.

The Malmö MSc in Maritime Affairs is a 14-month programme with seven specializations: Maritime Education & Training; Maritime Energy Management; Maritime Law & Policy; Maritime Safety & Environmental Administration; Ocean Sustainability, Governance and Management; Port Management, and Shipping Management & Logistics. Foundation studies are taught in the first term and cover the introductory knowledge that is fundamental to all activities in the maritime field. Three successive terms focus on specialization studies and a dissertation. WMU has more than 150 Visiting Lecturers annually from around the world who contribute their expertise to enrich the education of WMU students.