Aiming to enhance ‘Blue Growth’, an initiative aiming to stimulate growth, jobs and competitiveness in marine and maritime sectors, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) and the University of Nicosia, signed a Cooperation Agreement today, through which the Maritime Academy of the University will be granted full access to BSM’s state of the art Maritime Training Centre, located at the marina of Limassol.

“The University of Nicosia, in an effort to promote ‘Blue Growth’, paves the way once again by offering specialized degree programmes for merchant marine officers,” said Dr. Nicos Peristianis, President of the Council of the University of Nicosia. He added that the Maritime Academy of the University of Nicosia will begin admitting students in September 2016, offering three degree programmes in: Marine Science, Marine Engineering and Marine Electrical Engineering. The degrees target aspiring Officers, offering them high level education and training, as well as a chance to develop their skills, in line with technological developments, given the essential role they play for the shipping industry.

Speaking on the partnership with the Maritime Academy of Cyprus, Captain Norbert Aschmann, CEO of BSM, commented: “It gives me great pleasure to be announcing the partnership between BSM and the Maritime Academy of Cyprus. BSM has a long, proud tradition and connection with Cyprus and the development of Cyprus as a major maritime hub. Over the years, our Company has made considerable investment into building a world class training facility on the island to support the professional development of its own seafarers, as well as the local maritime community; which continues this year with the installation of advanced Kongsberg Full Mission Bridge and Engine Simulators. The opportunity to partner with the Maritime Academy of Cyprus will ensure that these excellent facilities not only provide career development internally for our own personnel, but also provide opportunity for the next generation of seafarers, who will undergo their academic training through the Maritime Academy.”