MARACAD Returns to Dubai
After an extremely successful debut in 2015, the MARACAD Conference and Expo returns to Dubai once again in 2016. Under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works Chairman of the Federal Transport Authority – Land and Maritime, the event is the result of a high level strategic partnership with the Dubai Maritime City Authority.
MARACAD 2016, which is organized by Cham Events, will take place on 20th – 21st September at Dubai World Trade Centre UAE, and will comprise a conference and exhibition focused on helping shipping industry stakeholders prepare a new generation for jobs in the maritime sector. It also aims to encourage the implementation of innovative new technologies in maritime training and education and to help develop the capabilities and effectiveness of human resource management teams in ports.
At the two-day MARACAD 2016 conference an expert panel of speakers will focus on the social element of the shipping business and will address the main challenges and opportunities facing the industry as it seeks to develop its human resources. In particular, speakers will address how the maritime sector can attract talented young people to work in various segments of the industry, in line with the stated aims and aspirations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The conference will also highlight the movement away from traditional methods of education and training through the utilization of creative new ideas and innovative technologies.
Captain Hussam Suyyagh, the conference director, said, “MARACAD 2016 will assess how technology can define the work environment, simultaneously recognizing the tremendous value and efficiency of the employee. This can be achieved by stimulating technological innovations and removing the barriers that hinder the process of change, as well as promoting the use of new training technologies in a timely manner”. Captain Suyyagh added that “MARACAD will also look at how the industry can meet the increase in global demand for specialized maritime human resources by enhancing maritime training institutions.”
The conference will comprise six panel discussions covering the following topics: Maritime human resources - today and tomorrow; LNG bunkering and training challenges; Offshore industry human resources and new technology; Environmental sustainability in the marine industry; the management of human resources in the ports sector; and Information Technology integration within the maritime industry.
Dr Alia Al Hussein, Director General of Cham Events, said the conference will provide a platform for maritime academic institutions to meet and discuss issues with delegates from a broad spectrum of the global maritime community and governmental organizations, with a view towards finding ways of better supporting the human element in the maritime industry through education and training.
She added, “The Secretary General of the IMO, Ki Tack Lim, said in a speech at the opening of the last Human element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) Sub-committee meeting that it was important to portray shipping as an industry that can provide a career path matching the aspirations of the ambitious and capable young people it urgently needs to attract and retain. This message is consistent with the broad range of topics that will be raised at MARACAD 2016.”
MARACAD is the first regional event of its kind and aims to encourage constructive dialogue and establish strategic partnerships that can assist in developing maritime education and training services, and the establishment of new academic institutions specializing in the maritime and offshore sectors. Alongside the conference there will be an exhibition at which maritime education and training equipment as well as other maritime technological service providers will be able to showcase what they can offer to this market.
