In response to industry demand, Swinburne University of Technology has introduced Australia’s first formal qualification in Port and Harbour Engineering.
Developed in conjunction with Ports Australia, the Graduate Certificate in Engineering (Ports and Harbour) is designed for engineers who work, or aspire to work, in the steadily growing maritime industry.
There are 68 commercial ports in Australia that employ an estimated 2700 staff and move over 940 million tonnes of cargo each year. However up until now there has been no specialised qualification available for engineers who specialise in this field.
According to course convenor Professor Alex Babanin , with the number of ports in Australia still growing, Swinburne’s new program is filling a genuine gap in engineering education.
“ Port engineering applications are very different to mainstream civil, coastal and mechanical engineering disciplines, ” he said. “ This is why it is essential that our port engineers have access to specialised education that will ensure they are globally competitive.”
During the four-unit program engineers will gain expertise in a variety of port and harbour engineering applications, including dredging, port access and navigation and port structural design, enabling them to lead and apply their advanced technical skills to maritime and port environments.
The program will also have a strong industry focus, with input from leaders in the field.
“ One of the program’s greatest strengths will be its strong engagement with industry ,” Professor Babanin said. “ Specialists from more than ten Australian companies lecture into the program, with the dredging engineering subject taught and sponsored by Boskalis , one of the world’s leading dredging companies. Students will also have access to industry software and highly relevant case studies ,” he said.
Each subject will be delivered in intensive mode over one week, followed by assessment via distance education. This flexible structure will allow engineers from all over Australia to take part in the program.
( swinburne )
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Source: swinburne, October 21, 2011; Image: boskalis