IMarEST awards double accreditation to Ningbo University

The IMarEST has accredited two bachelor degree programmes run by the marine faculty of Ningbo University (NBU), China as part of its ongoing efforts to champion providers of high-quality marine-related courses and commitment to bring up the next generation of marine engineers, scientists and technologists.

The approval of NBU’s Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering and Marine Technology courses involved close scrutiny of the academic programme, backed up by a site visit to inspect facilities first-hand and to meet with staff and students. The IMarEST’s Professional Affairs & Education Committee (PAEC) then deliberated over both the recommendations from the review panel and feedback from the visit to reach its decision in favour of awarding the accreditation, which lasts five years.

This latest endorsement follows the successful accreditation of the university’s Marine Engineering course last year. NBU joins a growing list of universities in the region that have sought IMarEST accreditation as a stamp of excellence, including the Ocean University of China, IPB University (Indonesia) and UniKL MIMET (Malaysia).

The review panel praised the overall level of enthusiasm and interest in the programmes displayed by students, many of whom talked excitedly about their future careers as industry practitioners, reflecting the faculty’s commitment to make industrial placements and practical experience a core part of its students’ education.

During the site visit, the panel was taken on a tour of the University’s Meishan campus and was particularly impressed by the quantity and quality of the facilities available including a towing tank, wave-current flume laboratory, a CAD centre, three full-ship and numerous specialised simulators.

The panel noted a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation. Each year, the Faculty organises annual entrepreneurship workshops for its students, some of whom have won prizes at national competitions and applied for patents based on their work. All these are good examples and alternatives for students’ overall development.

Also drawing the panel’s attention were the close relations that the faculty enjoys with the Chinese maritime cluster, aided by the fact that many of its teaching staff have backgrounds working in the sector. Separate to the IMarEST accreditation, the faculty has also been awarded the ‘National Science and Technology Progress Award’ for its R&D work and partnership with industry. 

Indeed, many Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering graduates go on to work for China’s shipyards or pursue academic research with a marine focus. The IMarEST accreditation signifies they meet the academic base requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Incorporated Marine Engineer (IMarEng).

Meanwhile young people graduating from the Marine Technology course mostly apply for their Certificate of Competency and join major international shipping lines. They also meet the academic base requirements for registration as a Registered Marine Technician (RMarTech),

NBU ranks among China’s 100 ‘Double First-Class Universities’ and its marine faculty alone has four departments and more than 100 staff. Its strong marine focus makes it one of seven Chinese institutions recommended to the IMO. Many of its teaching staff and students are IMarEST members.

IMarEST’s accreditation programme offers universities an independent assessment of their undergraduate and postgraduate courses in engineering, science and technology. It demonstrates the syllabus meets internationally recognised academic standards and provides students the knowledge, understanding and skills needed for professional registration. It involves a rigorous peer-review process, analysing technical content taught and the processes in place to ensure effective delivery of the programme.

Find out more about accreditation at www.imarest.org/accreditation.