Maritime school hosts international leaders

A sector-leading training hub offering more than 150 courses in maritime and shipping – ranging from short courses to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees – Warsash Maritime School is a globally recognised institution that welcomes students from all around the world.

To learn more about its offer and impact, delegates from both the United States of America and Ethiopia recently visited the school and met with the University’s senior leadership team, including Vice-Chancellor, Professor James Knowles.

On Wednesday 20 August, a delegation of US Congressional staff arrived in Southampton to explore Warsash Maritime School. In a visit coordinated by the British Embassy in Washington and hosted by the school’s Director, Kunal Anand, the delegation experienced the Maritime Simulation Centre – a state-of-the-art training facility which is the only one of its kind in the UK. As part of their visit, the delegation also toured the University’s Ship Handling Centre; a bespoke facility set on Timsbury Lake which offers specialist training for pilots, masters and senior ship’s officers.

The delegation, which included deputy chiefs of staff alongside legislative and research assistants, had the opportunity to meet with key figures at Solent University.

A week later, on Wednesday 27 August, the Ambassador of Ethiopia to the United Kingdom, H.E Biruk Mekonnen, visited Solent to build on the country's existing relationship with the University. Representatives from the University’s Department of Business and Law, as well as Warsash Maritime School, took part in this visit, discussing post graduate study and research opportunities.

Solent’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor James Knowles, says:

“As a proudly international university, we work collaboratively to cultivate meaningful partnerships that expand access to opportunities in higher education. Our student community represents more than 100 countries worldwide, and we see first-hand how essential international collaboration is to enhancing opportunities for students.

“I look forward to cultivating our existing partnerships, alongside new ones, as our 2035 Strategy comes to life.”