The soft opening for the RM25 million academy, the first of its kind in East Malaysia and the second in the country after the Malaysia Maritime Academy (ALAM) in Melaka, was performed by the State Minister for Environment and Public Health, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, today.
He said the academy, on a 2.8ha site, is equipped with all the facilities as required by the International Maritime Organisation.
“This include the RM1.65 million Poseidon Borealis Full Ship’s Bridge Simulator. A norwegian expert will install the hardware this month,” he said.
Wong said the academy, part of the United College Sarawak’s School of Maritime Studies, would be under the directorship of Capt Goh Chin Guan, an experienced seaman with the Shin Yang Group of Companies in Miri. Currently, 10 students have enrolled in the academy which can take in 400 trainees, he said, adding that there were hostel facilities for about 150 students.
Wong said the academy would launch a student recruitment campaign soon for a two-year diploma programme in marine engineering and nautical studies.
He said the programme graduates would receive the Malaysian Marine Department’s certificate of competency, a basic requirement for trainees who wished to serve on board ships as a marine engineer or a navigating officer.
“There is an acute shortage of qualified seafarers in Sarawak where not less than 80 percent of them are foreigners from the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar and India.
“I’m confident the academy will go a long way in contributing to adequate maritime human resource development in the state and country,” he said.
He urged the local shipping fraternity to send their personnel to study at the academy to qualify for the internationally-recognised diplomas and certificates.
Wong also thanked the state government for giving an initial grant of RM5 million and the Shin Yang Group for its significant contribution for the academy’s construction.
Earlier, in his speech, Capt Goh said seafaring offered a challenging, satisfying and a well-paid career to young men and women who could assume responsibility at an early age and wanted more from a career than the usual eight-to-five routine.
He said a qualified cadet officer can expect a basic salary of between US$5,000 to US$10,000 while a captain can draw between US$12,000 to US$15,000 a month.
The cost for the two courses is about RM39,000 excluding modular courses and living expenses, he said. Sponsorships are available for deserving students, he added.