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Hydrographic Academy launched at OI
The Hydrographic Academy, a joint distance learning venture between Plymouth University and Fugro, the world’s largest geosciences company, was launched at last month’s Oceanology International event in London.
Supported by the British Royal Navy, it aims to provide vital scientific and technical education for students working on oil rigs and survey vessels hundreds or thousands of miles away from the nearest college or university.
Established in response to repeated calls from industry for improved levels of training and education in fields such as hydrography, oceanography and meteorology, the Academy will provide an educational and qualification route not available other than through full time study, according to Fugro’s global learning and development manager, Andy McNeill. Moreover, added Dr Richard Thain of Britannia Royal Naval College and Plymouth University’s School of Marine Science & Engineering, it will also provide a straightforward pathway for school leavers to enter the offshore industry.
Courses will be open to anyone, regardless of background or level of experience. Students will be provided with a variety of video presentations within a bespoke e-learning environment which will also enable sophisticated testing and assessment to be undertaken. It will even take account of any lack of online access that most will face at some stage by storing all learning resources and assignments on a single 8GB memory stick.
On offer will be undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas as well as Masters level programmes. At appropriate stages, all programmes will require student attendance ashore for two weeks, covering mathematics, practical surveying and exams. Meanwhile, Fugro said that 13 of its sponsored students had successfully completed a pilot project while Plymouth University reported that it had already received registrations for one Academy programme from over 60 applicants from as far afield as Australia, Central Africa, India and the US.
