From July 1st to July 5th, the 20th Conference of the International Maritime Lecturers Association was held at West Terchelling, Netherlands. Prof. Jin Yongxing, Chair of IMLA and Vice President of Shanghai Maritime University presided over the conference.
In the opening ceremony, Prof. Jin, on behalf of IMLA, extended warm welcome to all the participants. He pointed out that this conference is a historically significant meeting in the international maritime education field after 20 major IMLA conferences through over the last 30 years. He hoped that the participants can fully exchange their academic thoughts and achievements, and intensify their cooperation by this opportunity.
During the conference, Prof. Jin also organized the council meeting and the annual meeting of the IMLA members. They summarized the achievements of last year, and looked into the future about playing a more important role in the affairs of International Maritime Organization, and promoting the cooperation among the international maritime universities and faculties.
This conference was hosted by the Maritime Institute Williem Barentzs with the theme as “Back to Basics”. More than 80 maritime education experts and teachers attended the conference and exchange their academic achievements.
IMLA is the official consulting organ for the International Maritime Organization of the UN. It is a no-border forum for discussions on sea-related issues, aiming at “promoting contact and cooperation between maritime lecturers and developing a body of professional expertise”. Prof. Jin Yongxin, Vice President of SMU assumed the position of Chair of IMLA in Sep. 2011. Since then, he managed all the related businesses and took an active part in the organization, which would have a positive influence on the communication between maritime lecturers of all disciplines.
