Innovative Maritime Design Education at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences

Abstract

To educate ship designers of the future, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences aims to continuously innovate education  and update the curriculum, for example looking at digitally enabled education. In agreement with this Design Based Education (DBE) has been introduced, a new educational concept. In DBE, students work on projects that are provided by industry partners with core subjects providing the required information to successfully complete the projects. Another endeavour is the introduction of the BSc minor “Advanced Engineering Tools for ShipX”, where X is shorthand for design and operation. This course is concentrated on engineering tools and methods that have emerged in the (construction) industry over the past decades. Because quite some tools are implemented in software, the minor starts with a programming course. However, the emphasis of the minor is not on programming, but on algorithms and algorithmic thinking. For programming languages come and go, while smart algorithms remain to serve us for centuries. Additionally in the BSc, gamification is used to educate an old trade: ship stability. Students experience the primary behaviour of a raft and the forces that act upon it in virtual reality. Afterwards the theory will have to be elaborated a bit more, and the students will have to practice with calculations, but first comes the understanding and only then the math. The master Marine Shipping Innovation focusses on maritime professionals that want to expand their knowledge and learn to innovate. Many students have several years of industry experience and bring with them their expertise and knowledge. A trade they share with their teachers who also combine their teaching job with an additional job in industry. The master offers on demand education, where students can select from a wide range of subjects to further expand their knowledge. At traditional universities, the focus lies on fundamental research, for example, design methods and design tools. Research at universities of applied science is more practical in nature. Engineering in general and the maritime industry specifically is very practical and the application of research is of high interest to the industry. For that reason the major Marine Technology has been selected to run a pilot for a post master applied research program called a Professional Doctorate (PD). The pilot starts in 2022 and currently the implementation of this program is in full swing. In short, this article will discuss the education innovations in both the bachelor and master programs for Marine Technology. It will discuss how the changes are implemented and what the effect is on the education. Finally it will discuss the current steps that are taken to successfully introduce the Professional Doctorate.