In the ever-evolving world of maritime training and education, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. That’s precisely what Esat Güzel, from Girne American University School of Marine and Logistics, has been working on. Güzel, along with his team, has developed a novel approach to assess the quality of maritime training and education institutes in Türkiye. Their method, published in the Journal of Eta Maritime Science, uses a combination of grey relation analysis and geographic information systems (GIS) to evaluate and visualize non-conformities in these institutes.
So, what does this all mean for the maritime industry? Well, let’s break it down.
First off, what are non-conformities? In simple terms, they’re instances where an institute doesn’t meet the required standards. These could be anything from outdated training equipment to inadequate teaching methods. Güzel’s method, known as the Entropy Weighted Grey Relation Analysis, helps to identify these issues objectively, using data from independent external audits. “The main aim of the study is to determine an objective method for maritime training and education institutes quality assessment based on objective data,” Güzel states in the abstract of his paper.
But why is this important? Well, for starters, it helps institutes identify areas where they need to improve. This isn’t just about ticking boxes for regulatory bodies; it’s about ensuring that the next generation of maritime professionals are well-equipped to handle the challenges of the industry. Moreover, it’s about safety. The maritime industry is fraught with risks, and ensuring that training is up to scratch can help mitigate these risks.
Now, let’s talk about the GIS part. Once the data has been analyzed, it’s plotted onto maps using QGIS, an open-source GIS application. This allows for a visual representation of where non-conformities are concentrated. It’s like a heat map, but for maritime training issues. This visual approach can help stakeholders, from institute managers to regulatory bodies, to quickly grasp the situation and prioritize areas for improvement.
The commercial impacts of this research are significant. For maritime training institutes, this method provides a clear roadmap for improvement. It’s not just about passing audits; it’s about enhancing the overall quality of training, which can attract more students and, in turn, more revenue. For the maritime industry as a whole, it means a more skilled and safer workforce.
Moreover, this method isn’t just limited to Türkiye. It can be applied anywhere, provided there’s access to independent audit data. This opens up opportunities for international collaboration and standardization in maritime training.
In essence, Güzel’s work is a game-changer in the world of maritime training and education. It’s a testament to how data analysis and visualization can drive improvement and innovation in the industry. So, if you’re a maritime professional, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on this development. After all, the future of the industry depends on the skills and knowledge of its workforce. And that’s where Güzel’s work comes in.
