Dear friends!

During its existence since 1944, the Odessa Maritime Academy had different names: Odessa Higher Marine School, Odessa Higher Engineering Marine School, Odessa State Maritime Academy, Odessa National Maritime Academy, National University «Odessa Maritime Academy» (NUOMA). Today, our name includes the highest level of educational institution in Ukraine «National University» and our brand name «Odessa Maritime Academy» which is long and well known in the world. Throughout the history of the educational institution, the high professionalism of the scientific and pedagogical staff, standards of education and practical training of cadets that meet international and national requirements have been ensured.

The strategic goal of NUOMA is to meet the growing educational and cultural needs of citizens of Ukraine and foreigners in obtaining higher maritime education, which provides guaranteed employment, provides a high level of remuneration, career growth prospects throughout life and competitiveness in the global labor market. Prerequisites for the set goal realization are an increase in the volume of sea transportation in the world shipping, an increase in the need for highly qualified ship’s crew officers and on-shore specialists in the maritime industry.

Thanks to the University graduates, Ukraine is among the leaders in terms of the number of officers on the world’s merchant marine and ships’ flying the flags of the European Union countries. The salary level in the merchant fleet is ten times higher than the average salary in Ukraine. Therefore, the seafaring profession is very attractive for Ukrainian citizens.

Since Ukraine’s independence, NUOMA has opened new specialties and created a network of branches, maritime institutions, including: Azov Maritime Institute (Mariupol), the Danube Institute (Izmail), Navy Institute, Maritime Transport Professional College, Marine Professional College named after O.I. Marinesko. The Azov Maritime Institute was temporarily transferred to the main institution in Odessa. In 2022, a new branch of the University, the Danube Professional College in Izmail, held its first intake of cadets.

The Navy Institute of NUOMA provides: training of military specialists in bachelor’s and master’s degrees; advanced training of officers; training of officers conscripted into armed forces during mobilization; military training of students of higher education institutions under the reserve officer training programme; scientific and technical activities; military and patriotic education of higher education students and pre-conscription youth. Today, the Institute graduates are heroically defending their Homeland in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The number of cadets and students of the University, including its branches, is more than 7,000 people. In addition, thousands of seafarers undergo upgrading and refreshing training at the University every year. The system of education, training and certification of seafarers in Ukraine is approved by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), which allows University graduates to work on board of ships of various foreign shipping companies, including ships flying the flags of the European Union. International experts note the high level of programmes and courses offered at the University, the quality of the assessment and certification system, the high level of special equipment and simulators, and the highly qualified teachers and instructors of the University.

NUOMA is an active member of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU). Representatives of the University regularly participate in the work of the assemblies, committees and subcommittees of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as part of the official delegations of Ukraine and the International Association of Maritime Universities. The quality management system of the University is verified by the certification body «Bureau Veritas» and meets the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard: for educational, methodical, scientific, scientific-technical and innovative activities; practical training of seafarers. In addition to the university as a whole, the «Academmarine» Medical Center and the University training centers underwent the certification audit: Institute of Postgraduate Education «Centre for Training and Certification of Seafarers», Training Centre «Survival in Extreme Conditions at Sea», Training Centre of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. The training programmes in 4 engineering specialities of the University at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels are accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology of the United Kingdom (IMarEST) to meet the requirements of the highest level of Chartered Engineer in the UK.

It has already become a good tradition to hold the annual International Forum on Seafarers’ Education, Training and Crewing. The forum is held by the University in cooperation with the Odessa House Exhibition Centre at the passenger terminal of the Odessa Sea Port. In 2021, the conference was attended by more than 100 companies and organizations, 130 delegates from 15 countries, and thousands of guests visited the exhibition. Unfortunately, due to the martial law, the next forum is planned to be held when the security of the participants is guaranteed.

NUOMA has all the necessary equipment, methodological support and personnel potential for training graduates in accordance with the requirements of the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). Bachelor’s curricula and programs include all types of mandatory training for issuing the first Certificate of Competency. The Institute of Postgraduate Education of the University has created conditions for effective improvement of seafarers’ qualifications, for conducting Refresher and Updating Training courses. Master’s training programs and professional development programs provide the opportunity to occupy top positions (Captain, Chief Engineer) on sea-going vessels, provided the relevant sea service is available.

The Institute of Maritime Law and Management, in addition to good professional knowledge and skills, provides in-depth knowledge of the English language, which gives significant advantages to the Institute graduates for employment in international and foreign companies that highly value our graduates.

The presence of scientific schools, postgraduate and doctoral studies, a specialized scientific council for the defense of dissertations, the publication of collections of scientific works of the University provide the possibility of the effective training of highly qualified personnel: Doctors of Philosophy and Doctors of Science.

The cadets have access to a campus, which includes: 4 buildings (dormitories), a canteen, a library, a sports complex, a modern medical center, and its own gas boiler house. The NUOMA has all the conditions for physical education and sports: an Olympic-class swimming pool, games and gyms, a mini-stadium, and yacht station on the seashore.

Despite the problems associated with the full-scale invasion of the russian federation into Ukraine, practical training programs were implemented in 2023. The procedure for crossing the state border by cadets sent to foreign companies for practical training on ships was regulated by the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. During the year, 642 full-time cadets of the base institution (not including separate structural divisions) completed on-board training on ships of 112 foreign companies. Among the leaders are the following companies: MSC, V.Ships, Marlow Navigation, Alpha Navigation, Anglo-Eastern, Columbia, Uniteam, Univis, Stargate, CMA Ships, OSM, Eurocrewing. All foreign companies cover the costs associated with the cadets’ on-board training, including air travel and other transport costs to and from the place of boarding, meals, insurance, salaries, etc. Every year with the help of partners – foreign shipping companies – the University updates its laboratory and training facilities.

Despite the problems associated with the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine, implementation of practical training programs is ensured. The procedure for crossing the state border by cadets sent to foreign companies for practical training on ships was regulated by the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Every year, about 1,000 full-time cadets undergo on-board training on the ships of more than 100 foreign companies. Among the main partners are the following companies: MSC, V.Ships, Marlow Navigation, Alpha Navigation, Anglo-Eastern, Columbia, Uniteam, Univis, Stargate, CMA Ships, OSM, Eurocrewing, Staff Centre, Acomarine. All foreign companies cover the costs associated with the cadets’ on-board training, including air travel and other transport costs to and from the place of boarding, meals, insurance, salaries, etc. Every year with the help of partners – foreign shipping companies – the University updates its laboratory and training facilities.

Every year, the University graduates from 2,000 to 3,000 specialists of various levels, from a Junior Specialist to a Master’s degree. In the conditions of martial law, the University managed to organize the educational process, provide the opportunity for cadets to undergo practical training on simulators and in laboratories and on ships, to pass graduation certification. Graduates of the University have good job opportunities by profession. The graduate diploma of NUOMA provides broad career growth prospects, both in the fleet and on shore, in enterprises and companies of the maritime industry.

Our doors are always open for graduates and friends of the University. We invite everyone who wants to continue the glorious traditions of the University and become a high-class specialist in the maritime industry to study. On behalf of the rectorate, I congratulate all graduates, cadets, employees and friends of the university on the 80th anniversary of NUOMA! Fair winds and seven feet under the keel!

Sincerely,

Professor Mykhaylo Miyusov.

Rector of the National University “Odessa Maritime Academy”,

Honored Worker of Education of Ukraine,

Doctor of Technical Sciences