MOPT AND UNIVERSITY OF COSTA RICA WORK TOGETHER IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL MARINE CAREER

The University of Costa Rica (UCR) obtained the homologation of the Civil Marine career by the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT), which is taught at the Caribbean Campus. This certification is granted by the Ministry, in its capacity as regulatory entity. As a first stage of this process, provisional homologation was granted, which will be valid for one year as of July 4, while UCR's objective is to opt for permanent homologation.

In this regard, the UCR Rector, Gustavo Gutiérrez Espeleta, said: "...The accreditation we are celebrating today goes hand in hand with the expectations we have for this career and its graduates. For the University of Costa Rica, the Civil Marine career not only aims to provide a high level of professional training, but also to contribute to the economic and social development of an important sector of the Costa Rican population, and thus promote the progress of the national merchant marine."

Nelson Soto Corrales, Head of the Directorate of Navigation and Safety of the MOPT, emphasized: "The ISO 9001 certification is a standardization norm. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the signatory countries seek that all seafarers have a standard training, so that they can embark anywhere in the world and on any vessel, without differences in criteria. This standardization promotes a management system, where all training and administrative processes are correct and equal. That is the main requirement that the UCR needs to obtain the definitive homologation, and that the academic program is very clear so that the competencies included in the STCW agreement are reflected there. That way we, as the national maritime administration, can verify that what UCR does is what is required by the international standard".

Referring to the Civil Marine career, Julio Brenes Arroyo, advisor to the UCR Rector's Office and headquarters coordinator, said that they are continuously working on three fundamental processes: "The first one is the homologation, which for now is provisional, but it helps us to consolidate the other processes and obtain the five-year homologation. This has even enabled us to graduate the first two students at the Caribbean Campus. The second step is the 9001 certification, which allows us to guarantee that the internal processes of the program are in accordance with the international agreement. The third process is the reopening of the course, which is part of teaching and learning, aspects that are evaluated by the quality management system".

Finally, Mr. Soto affirmed: "The goal is for Costa Rica to develop its potential in terms of training marine professionals... We are interested in promoting its development, which is why the support of the MOPT will be until the end so that the Civil Marine career is properly consolidated. This University has made a great effort and the fruits will come".

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