MoU with International Sailing Schools Association
The World Maritime University (WMU) and the International Sailing Schools Association (ISSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim to promote academic, educational, training, consultancy and research exchange between the two institutions in the maritime, oceans and yachting fields.
The MoU was signed by WMU President, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia and ISSA President, Mr Tomasz Lipski, at WMU headquarters on 1 September. ISSA Vice President, Mr Assaad Rayess, attended the signing ceremony. The new agreement forms a strategic development as it ushers a collaborative agenda where WMU will advise and assist ISSA in developing curricula for the sailing and yachting industry. It also paves the way for helping ISSA navigate through the international legal and regulatory framework governing pleasure craft, including education and training standards. An action plan will ensue from the signing of the MOU with a view to setting in motion the collaborative work between WMU and ISSA.
ISSA’s mission is to promote yachting, educate the wider population about water sports, standardize training worldwide, and facilitate the exchange of cultural experiences, with safety being the main priority. The expertise and networking of WMU have been sought to help ISSA in its efforts to lobby for harmonization of standards pertaining to sailing and yachting education and training, licensing, and operations.
About WMU
The World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden is established within the framework of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. The mission of WMU is to be the world centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime and oceans education, professional training and research, while building global capacity and promoting sustainable development. WMU’s vision is to inspire leadership and innovation for a sustainable maritime and oceans future. WMU is an organization by and for the international maritime community and is committed to the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
About ISSA
The International Sailing Schools Association (ISSA) was founded in 1969 on the initiative of several national sailing federations. ISSA is a non-profit international association which provides a framework of common standards of quality and safety for sailing and windsurfing schools throughout the world. The ISSA standards apply equally to the certification of students completing sailing, power-boating and windsurfing courses at all levels of ability. All ISSA instructors are trained to the same levels of competence.