Considering Georgia's integration into the global economy and increasing demands in the maritime sector, it is essential to develop educational programs in maritime studies that produce competitive and skilled professionals, such as ship's engineers. These programs should adhere to norms set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), national legislation and educational standards.

Programme Purpose

The goal of the bachelor's program in Ship's Power Plant is to train a highly qualified, practical work-oriented specialist (ship's engineer). This program aims to equip graduates with the competencies specified by the STCW Convention regulations, meeting the demands of both the international and local educational and labor markets. Graduates will possess:

• The theoretical knowledge required by the STCW Convention and the practical skills to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of a Marine Engineer. This includes understanding the specifics of the profession, evaluating/analyzing problems, making correct decisions within their competence, and acting promptly according to established standards/rules, while taking responsibility for their service functions and the safety of people on board.

• The ability to evaluate and analyze situations, information, and data with a high degree of independence. This involves identifying the causes of technical, professional, social, or ethical problems, understanding cause-and-effect relationships and potential risks, solving complex/unforeseen problems, and justifying the chosen solution.

• The readiness to work in teams, select appropriate models of communication and behavior, and utilize technical/technological resources, including information-communication technologies and specific specialized computer software.

• The motivation and ability for continuous personal and professional development.
• An understanding of and readiness to uphold the ethical characteristics of the maritime field and work effectively within multicultural teams.
• The ability to apply acquired knowledge and skills to realize their potential in social and professional activities through independent further development and career advancement.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

• The graduate discusses and explains the procedures, rules, conventions, and legislative acts required to perform maritime engineering activities. This includes methods for evaluating the efficiency and quality of technological processes; complex issues in physical and chemical processes, thermodynamics, and hydromechanics; and the operating principles and safe operation rules for the ship’s main and auxiliary power plants, electrical equipment, electronic apparatus, automatic control systems, protective devices, auxiliary machinery, and life-saving and safety equipment.

• Comprehensively assesses repair objects and identifies causes of malfunction. They are proficient in establishing repair documentation, organizing technical maintenance methods, and applying criteria for assessing the technical condition and stability of various ship structures. Additionally, they understand the preparation and processing methods for various metals, cooling water, fuels, and lubricants.

• Utilizes signaling and protection systems, the theory of mechanisms and machines, and the structural, static, dynamic, and kinematic characteristics of simple mechanisms. They apply mathematical calculation methods for the strength of parts, specialized computer programs, technical instructions provided by maritime equipment manufacturers, electrical diagrams, technical drawings, and blueprints.

• Carries out the efficient management of ship power plants and watchkeeping, monitors operating parameters, and performs the operation and technical maintenance of main/auxiliary machinery and systems. They perform the synthesis of engineering parameters, ensure a safe working environment within their scope of competence, and conduct emergency, temporary, or permanent repairs using appropriate tools, machine tools, measuring instruments, and various insulation materials. They also implement emergency measures for fire safety, accident response, and first aid.

• Establishes effective communication (both verbal and written) using International Maritime Organization (IMO) Standard Marine Communication Phrases with crew members and other stakeholders to ensure safe and effective operations.

Responsibility and Autonomy

• In the working environment and under unforeseen circumstances, the graduate acts by assessing the risks of challenges and emergency situations. They follow modern approaches to ship maintenance and safe operation, utilize appropriate procedures and resources, and take full responsibility for their decisions and actions.
• In professional activities, the graduate employs leadership and teamwork skills. They act in accordance with ethical and social norms, taking into account the ethnic, cultural, and social values and characteristics of a multicultural team/crew.
• The graduate considers the importance of innovation for successful professional activity and career advancement. They demonstrate the ability to independently update their knowledge and continuously develop their professional competencies.

Field of employment

In accordance with STCW Convention and the Law of Georgia on Training and Certification of Seafarers, on the basis of fulfillment of certification requirements of ship engineer and recognized term of service on a ship and corresponding training, a programme alumni (ship’s engineer) may gradually obtain next rank of ship engineer and hold corresponding position from watch engineer through the chief engineer. Ship’s engineer may be employed on passenger-carrying, commercial, port vessels at supporting, maintenance and operation level.

Alumni may be employed in international navigation and crewing companies, boatyard and other maintenance offices, sea ports, engineering workshops etc

Unified National Examinations Code: 1400101

Awarded Academic Degree and Qualification: Bachelor of Engineering in Maritime Engineering

Program Volume: 240 ECTS credits

Head of the Program: Kakhaber Khintibidze, Associate Professor

Exams to be Taken at the Unified National Exams: Georgian Language and Literature; Foreign Language (ENG); Mathematics or Physics