National Maritime Academy recognised for innovative teaching practices

NMA's dedication to innovation has positioned Saudi Arabia as a leader in maritime education.

National Maritime Academy brought home a win at Middle East Technology Excellence Awards 2024. It has pushed the boundaries of maritime education through groundbreaking teaching practices within the institution. The National Maritime Academy (NMA) is a specialist Maritime Education and Training (MET) institution tasked with providing the necessary National and International qualifications required to ensure that the Kingdom is a global beacon of Maritime Excellence.

The Academy was created through a strategic partnership between Saudi Aramco and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), with a vision of training young Saudis in all aspects of the maritime industry, from shipbuilding and repair through to ship operations, ports, and logistics.

The academy is further supported by a board of trustees with representation from Saudi Arabian Oil Company “Saudi ARAMCO,” the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), the Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF), the Transport General Authority (TGA), Colleges of Excellence (CoE), MAWANI, RAWABI, BAHRI, and IMI. This gives the NMA a strong board of trustees with representation from across the maritime industry, regulatory authorities, and academia.

The Managing Director, Captain Turki Al Shehri, expressed that the National Maritime Academy is a pioneering experience in high-quality training with locally and internationally accredited certificates that meet the requirements of the maritime sector in accordance with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. All the training courses delivered at the NMA are both Nationally and Internationally recognised and certified. This has been achieved through the hard work and dedication of NMA’s expert team of specialists to cross-map and benchmark programme designs to bring the best practices of curriculum design, learning, and teaching from across the globe to its portfolio of courses. NMA’s seafarer certification for officers is recognised not only by local regulators, the Transport General Authority and MAWANI, but also by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom Chamber of Shipping.

“At NMA, we maintain that having this level of internationalism within our provision is essential given the global nature of the Maritime industry and will continue to both import and export the best practices from across the world into the kingdom to ensure that we are truly competing on the world stage as a global Maritime center of Excellence,” the Managing Director stated.

The National Maritime Academy (NMA) had been acknowledged at the coveted Middle East Technology Excellence Awards 2024 for winning the Marine Technology - Marine Services category with its integration of innovative technologies that have significantly enhanced its learning and teaching methodologies. One of the primary ways that NMA has utilised innovative technology is through advanced simulation systems.

The academy has invested in high-fidelity bridge and engine room simulators, which create realistic maritime environments for students to practice and hone their skills. This solution incorporates real-world conditions such as varying weather, sea states, and complex navigational scenarios, providing students with a comprehensive training experience that closely mimics actual maritime operations. Students develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a controlled and safe environment by engaging in the immersive simulations. Aside from the simulators, NMA has also leveraged e-learning platforms to facilitate flexible and accessible education. These platforms offer a range of online courses and digital resources, enabling students to learn at their own pace and on their schedule. The students’ learning experiences have been further enriched with the incorporation of multimedia elements such as interactive videos, animations, and virtual reality modules that make complex maritime and engineering concepts easier to understand and retain. This accommodates different learning styles and ensures that students can access quality education regardless of their geographic location.

Moreover, platforms such as virtual classrooms and discussion forums hosted on Microsoft Teams facilitate real-time interaction between students and instructors and amongst peers. This collaborative environment encourages the exchange of ideas as students can participate in these activities and receive immediate feedback, contributing to a more dynamic educational experience.

NMA has also employed data analytics to monitor and assess students' performance. By analysing data from simulations, assessments, and coursework, instructors can gain valuable insights into each student’s progress and identify areas requiring additional support. This enables the development of personalised learning plans and helps maintain high education standards and foster continuous improvement. To keep pace with the rapidly evolving maritime industry, the academy has also integrated emerging technologies into its curriculum. Awareness of future trends and technologies around remote monitoring systems, autonomous vessels, advanced navigation systems, and other cutting-edge maritime technologies exposes them to the progress in the field and ensures that they are adaptive to future technological developments. “These efforts collectively ensure that students receive a comprehensive, flexible, and future-ready education that prepares them to excel in the marine industry,” the company said.

The Middle East Technology Excellence Awards honours pioneers of technological innovation in the region, having significantly contributed to the pursuit of excellence within the industry. It celebrates companies, initiatives, and leaders that have utilised advanced technologies in improving business outcomes.

The Middle East Technology Excellence Awards is presented by Asian Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding contributions in pursuit of technological innovation, please contact Danica Avila at [email protected].