Keeping abreast of the latest technology in maritime education and training, the University of Cebu (UC) has renewed its contract with AWA Marine Philippines to continue to provide quality blended learning to our future seafarers.

AWA Marine is now the country’s largest supplier of maritime simulation and training systems, which represents Wärtsilä, a global leader in smart marine simulations and technologies.

Mr. Liam Murphy, AWA Marine Phils Director and Chairman, said, “The undertaking is a significant achievement and commitment by the University of Cebu towards blended Maritime Learning for their students, making UC at the forefront of modern Maritime Technology and Training in the post pandemic era.”

The new contract is for 40,000 hours of Wartsila Cloud Simulation, the latest in maritime training, which allows UC’s deck and engine cadets and faculties to actually access the simulators available online, anywhere, anytime.

The first agreement signed last year was for 80,000 hours of online training content. It covers a wide range of services, including NTPRO Bridge, TechSim ERS and LCHS, and TGS GMDSS Tutor simulation software.

The University of Cebu started using Wärtsilä Voyage’s Cloud Simulation services in October 2021, overcoming the continued adverse effects of the pandemic on in-person training and helping to define a new blended approach to maritime training in the Philippines.

This exponentially extends the maritime university’s instructional reach to train students in navigation, engineering, and liquid cargo handling using on-demand cloud-classrooms accessible anytime and from anywhere, with the interactive exercise control facilities needed by instructors and assessors to meet international requirements.

The University of Cebu, one of the country’s largest maritime schools, has a yearly intake of around 8,000 maritime students. It was appointed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to take part in a pilot initiative that offered online training during the height of the pandemic.

Atty. Augusto W. Go, President/Chairman of the University of Cebu, explained, “The main differentiator for the University of Cebu to select Wärtsilä Voyage’s extensive Cloud Simulation services was that it enables both interactive instructor-led simulator training and self-directed simulated scenarios. This immediately creates tangible benefits, in terms of convenient access, time, and cost, for all stakeholders—cadets, faculty, and the institute-alike. ”

Wärtsilä Voyage’s NTPRO (Navi-Trainer Professional 5000) was the first cloud-based navigational simulator to attain certification according to the new DNV Class D standard for cloud simulators — making it the first certified cloud solution that offers both interactive instructor-led and student-led training. With this, the navigational simulator now has full compliance (Class A, B, C, D) with DNV’s ST-0033 Maritime Simulator Systems standard.

Mr. Johan Ekvall, Head of Product, Simulation and Training at Wärtsilä Voyage, said, “Moreover, Wärtsilä Voyage’s Cloud Simulation is a managed service that has received Product Certification from DNV. Meaning, the University of Cebu will not have to apply for a ‘Product Certificate’ themselves, as they typically do with a physical simulator in their training center. ”

“As the maritime industry works to identify what learning events can be effectively conducted remotely and what requires a physical presence or team interactions at a training facility, Wärtsilä Cloud solutions are certified to provide both the interactive exercise control required for mandatory (STCW) training and examination, as well as the self-directed detached exercise and assessment that can be undertaken to enhance or supplement instructor-controlled simulations,” said Neil Bennett, Business Development Director, Global Simulation, Wärtsilä Voyage. “Together, these simulation solutions and associated value-added services equip the training providers with all the tools needed to develop effective and targeted blended learning courses that can be considered for flag or other industry approval.”