Report: IMLA28 and IMEC33 conferences
The 28th International Maritime Lecturers Association Conference (IMLA28), including International Maritime English Conference (IMEC33), was successfully hosted by Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy (NVNA), Varna, Bulgaria, together with National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” from September 6th to 9th, 2023. Around 60 lecturers from maritime universities and organizations all over the world gathered at the beautiful coastal city Varna in Bulgaria.
International Maritime English Conference (IMEC33) was held on 6 September and offered the worldwide Maritime English community a chance to meet in person for the first time since 2019. This was much appreciated, as was the variety of papers offered during the sessions.
IMLA conference was opened on 7 September by Prof. DSc PhD Boyan MEDNIKAROV, Rector of NVNA, and Prof. Mykhaylo Miyusov, Rector of National University "Odessa Maritime Academy". Prof. Dr Alison Noble, IMLA Chair and Prof. Dr Xin Shi, IMLA Honorary Secretary, RearAdm. Marselo Tarapow from Argentinian NAVY and Mr. Gwynne Lewis, CEO IMarEST, delivered keynotes.
With the theme “MET MARITIME HERITAGE: Traditions and Perspectives”, the conference offered 6 panels to include the topical subjects of navigation simulators, engine room simulators, Maritime English, maritime cybersecurity, human resources and talent panel. During the conference, various groups related to maritime training, simulator users, developers, researchers, maritime institutions and companies from all over the world engaged in discussion about innovative ideas, experimental results, modern trends and prospects for development of teaching science and enrichment of current teaching practices.
The conference committed was in receipt of 95 abstracts and almost 60 full papers. 31 papers were included in the conference proceedings. 26 papers were accepted by Pedagogika-Pedagogy, a Bulgarian journal of educational research and practice.
The 28th IMLA Conference was the first time that colleagues related to MET were able to gather together in person following the Covid-19 pandemic. The conference provided participants with opportunities to communicate with maritime professionals and exchange thoughts and views related to MET. IMLA Committee would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to the Local Organizing Committee for their outstanding work in making this conference possible, also grateful thanks to all the participants for their dedication to the sustainable development of MET.
