From 12-13 September, the World Maritime University (WMU) delivered an Executive Professional Development Course (EPDC) on Seafarer Health and Well-being to a group of 25 professional staff members from Gesellschaft für Oeltransporte mbH (GEFO).
The customized EPDC was designed to provide the GEFO shore-based and on-board staff with insights into factors influencing the mental health and well-being of seafarers.
The EPDC was delivered by Dr Michael Manuel, WMU Professor and Head of Maritime Education and Training, and Assistant Professor Inga Bartusevičienė. Specific topics addressed included workload stress, social isolation, alcohol & drug issues, interrelation between corporate practices and individual perceptions, and characteristics on health and wellbeing. Professor Shuo Ma, WMU Vice President (International), met the participants and welcomed them on behalf of the President, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, who sent her best regards and emphasized that the course “is an excellent example of the close relationship WMU has with the shipping industry, and we anticipate many more similar activities at WMU in the near future.”
GEFO has returned to WMU repeatedly for customized EPDCs for their employees. Previous offerings since 2014 include courses on Maritime Safety, Emergency Management According to ISM Code, Maritime Safety Management and Handling of Operational Risk, Improving the Implementation of the ISM Code, Ship Safety Management and Accident Investigation, Safety Leadership, and Safety Optimization / Human Element.
The Seafarer Health and Wellbeing course was also delivered on location for GEFO employees in Gdansk, Poland in July of 2022.
Through customized executive courses, WMU meets the educational needs and requirements of particular organizations and actively supports the commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all.
