BNU at the IAMU Annual General Assembly and International Conference

From 6 to 9 October 2026, Professor George Gabedava, Head of the International Relations Service at Batumi Navigation University (BNU), participated in the Annual General Assembly of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU AGA26) and the International Maritime Universities Conference (IAMUC).

During the visit, Professor George Gabedava took part in the Presidents’ Forum, which serves as an important platform for academic dialogue and the exchange of institutional experience on strategic issues in maritime higher education. Participation in the forum provides the University with an opportunity to contribute to discussions on the shared priorities and future development directions of the international maritime education community.

As part of the research collaboration, Professor George Gabedava, together with his colleagues, presented the interim results of the IAMU-funded research project, “Designing Remote Pilotage using Augmented Reality Technologies.” The project focuses on the application of augmented reality technologies, exploring technological innovation in the maritime sector and its practical applications.

Professor George Gabedava also chaired a conference session entitled “Maritime English, Communication and Professional Competence.” The session addressed maritime English, communication and professional competence, highlighting the importance of their interrelationship in international and multicultural maritime working environments.

During the conference, he also presented a scientific paper entitled “Maritime Competences for the Future: Role of Internationalization in Transversal Skills Development.” The paper examines the role of internationalization in developing the transversal skills essential for future maritime professionals and highlights the importance of international educational cooperation in professional training.

Participation in the IAMU Annual General Assembly and International Conference contributes to strengthening BNU’s engagement in the international academic community, fostering research partnerships, and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experience on current issues in maritime education. The University representative’s involvement in strategic discussions, the presentation of research findings, and the chairing of a scientific session demonstrate BNU’s active commitment to international cooperation in maritime education and research.