Maritime Education Summit at Mass. Maritime Takes Shape

BUZZARDS BAY, MA – The Massachusetts Maritime Academy has released the schedule of events for the Maritime Education Summit scheduled for April 15 – 17, 2009. Summit to run concurrently with spring meeting of MERPAC, which attendees of the Summit are also welcome to attend.

As previously announced, Sean T. Connaughton will be the keynote speaker for the Maritime Education Summit. Focused on Trends and Pedagogy for the Future, this innovative conference will attract participants from all segments of the maritime industry. The Summit will be held at the Academy’s campus in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts.

Mr. Connaughton served as the U.S. Maritime Administrator until 2009 and recently joined the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) as Corporate Vice President for Government Affairs. In this role, Mr. Connaughton is the bureau’s chief connection with senior government officials and works to build relationships with those who influence policy on maritime safety and classification matters. In joining the Maritime Education Summit at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Mr. Connaughton will share his unique perspective on the future of maritime education garnered from his distinguished roles as a public servant, an industry leader, and an advocate for the maritime industry.

“We are honored to welcome Sean Connaughton back to the Academy this April,” noted Vice President of Academic Affairs Bradley K. Lima. “His continued dedication to public service and the maritime industry exemplifies the high level of success to which a student pursuing a maritime education can aspire. He is an admirable role model for the lifetime pursuit of higher education and the ideal speaker for the summit.” Mr. Connaughton holds an honorary Degree of Doctor of Public Administration from MMA.

The Maritime Education Summit will promote discussion and extensive networking among maritime educators and administrators, industry leaders, and regulatory personnel. As maritime academies prepare the next generation of maritime professionals for careers at sea and ashore, there are many critical issues to consider in charting a course for the future. This conference will seek to address the most important of these issues.

The Maritime Education Summit will run concurrently with the spring meeting of the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC). Established by the Commandant of the Coast Guard in 1992, the 19-member group advises the Secretary of Homeland Security on issues affecting and regulating merchant mariners. Attendees of the Maritime Education Summit are welcome to attend the meeting.

For more information on the Maritime Education Summit: Trending and Pedagogy for the Future, visit www.maritime.edu/educationsummit or email [email protected].

Massachusetts Maritime Academy on the WEB: www.maritime.edu

Media contact: Kristine Esdale / [email protected] / (508) 830-5269