The application of the Faculty of Navigation, submitted to the ministerial competition for basic organizational units or colleges or universities without basic organizational units in the implementation of systems to improve the quality of education and the National Qualifications Framework,, was positively evaluated by the competition board – due to 106..5 points, out of 120 possible (9th position on the winning list of  the fields of study). Out of the total number of 207 fields that entered the competition conducted by public and private universities, the funding was received by 62 of them. The money will be transferred on the University account until the end of this year.

The documents attached to the application included selected learning outcomes, the reasons for the data to take account of learning outcomes in the developed program, the content and form of training modules and methods of verification of learning outcomes achieved. The application emphasizes the innovation of the teaching program, inter alia, in the preparation of specialist subjects – ‘employability signs’. The potential of the labor market and the sectors in which there is a demand for engineering staff has been indicated. The training program is an answer to the strategic direction of the Polish sea investments - the construction of an LNG terminal in Swinoujscie, the development of bulk carrier fleet Polish Steamship Company as well as the expansion of container terminals in Gdansk, Gdynia, Szczecin and Swinoujscie. Moreover, offshore and maritime mining sector, technology of exploration and exploitation of natural resources from the bottom of the sea, the safety aspects of navigation and protection of the marine environment in accordance with the policy of the European Union were presented Apart from that the development of the faculty teaching base - laboratories with modern equipment, the use and potential of information technology were presented. The training program of the university is consistent with the skills acquired during onboard practices and shows the so-called "Know" and "know how", as the effects of education. Adapting the program to the university requirements of CCF (KRK), MUS puts strong emphasis on practical skills and attitudes.

The jury consisting of scientists, experts, employees of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, external experts and analysts, among others, Ministry assessed the degree of consistency and innovation of the submitted program, and verified whether it is based on the unique resources of the unit and if it responds to the socio-economic needs, the extent to which it efficiently develops the students practical skills, and if it is carried out in real conditions for the area of ​​professional competence. The degree and method of testing the graduates’ career, effectiveness of the staff evaluation methods as well as the scope of the implemented innovative training methods were taken into account.

The Rector of Maritime University of Szczecin, Professor Stanislaw Gucma, Master Mariner does not hide his satisfaction about the achieved results- ‘I am delighted with the results of the competition. They confirm that the changes made to the training program for navigation, aims and objectives are correct - they are a response to the needs of the market and take advantage of the enormous potential of human resources at the university. The award will help financial institutions realize a grand scale innovative education program - for the benefit of students. The position of our University in the contest –a  specialist school, small and young in comparison with Warsaw and Cracow - proves the undoubted prestige to our University’.

The results of competition have been announced by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education during a press conference at the ministry headquarters on November 21, 2012 which was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Navigation, PhD, Master Mariner, Jerzy Hajduk.  The Minister of Science and Higher Education, Prof. Barbara Kudrycka, emphasized the professionalism and creativity of the faculties in developing programs – ‘The efforts of all the universities that have signed up to the competition should be highly appreciated. Creativity in the improvement of study programs was impressive. [...] Students of Navigation, Maritime University of Szczecin practice on simulators and during obligatory annual maritime practices. [...]’ – she said.

Funding is intended to cover the cost of the new or modified training program and develop a system to improve the quality of education.

Details of the contest:
http://www.nauka.gov.pl/ministerstwo/aktualnosci/aktualnosci/artykul/ogloszenie-wynikow-konkursu-na-milion-na-najlepsze-programy-studiow/

* Source: www.nauka.gov.pl