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Doha
THE Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) has accredited the Qatar International Safety Center (QISC) as the first centre of its kind to provide specialised maritime training in Qatar.
The move comes within the framework of MoTC’s compliance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention 1978.
The accreditation followed a full audit process conducted by MOTC, represented by its Maritime Transport Planning and Licensing Department, verifying QISC’s compliance with all formalities and requirements, including among others training and qualifications of the staff as laid down in the convention.
The objective behind the move is to emphasise Qatar’s compliance with all IMO conventions and standards, foremost of which are marine safety and protecting marine environment, lives and property.
QISC will provide maritime workers in Qatar and from other countries with specialised maritime training courses on the techniques of personal survival, fire prevention, firefighting, elementary first aid, personal safety and social responsibilities.
Beneficiary trainees will obtain certificates recognised by MoTC and internationally on completion of the course as Qatar is an IMO member state. QISC has been accredited in accordance with STCW Convention requirements and prerequisites.
“Accrediting QISC for training seafarers in maritime courses that are classified as mandatory by the convention is unprecedented in Qatar. QISC is now the first accredited centre in Qatar to meet IMO requirements,” said MoTC’s Assistant Undersecretary of Maritime Transport Affairs Dr Saleh bin Fetais al Marri.
Formerly, he explained, seafarers used to enrol at accredited training centres in other countries to take these courses.
This step, he added, “comes as part of MoTC’s endeavours to develop Qatar’s maritime transport services in terms of training and qualifying the sector’s professionals and workers in line with IMO requirements.”
This accreditation will be announced by the IMO, which will reveal it to other countries and member organisations, he added.
He also said that this is a good opportunity for those interested in working in maritime transport to visit the ministry and get updated on relevant requirements.
Maritime Transport Quality Assurance Director Mohammed al Mutawa said that accrediting QISC came after verifying all quality criteria, which is a top-priority requirement of the STCW Convention. Port State Control Officer at MOTC Capt Khalid Elagib said that the mandatory courses are very important for meeting the requirements of the seafaring profession and for licensing of captains, naval officers, naval engineers and all those who work on ships.
“QISC was established in 2001. It delivers training solutions that are developed and customised to meet all clients’ needs. We have worked hard with the officials concerned at MOTC to win QISC accreditation, becoming the first accredited centre in Qatar,” said QISC CEO Abdul Rahman Darwish al Darwish.
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22/10/2019
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