Welcome
I would like to extend a warm welcome
to this seminar, hosted in partnership
with the Scottish Maritime Cluster, and
to our multi award winning Riverside
campus. Our state-of-the-art facility
is one of the most modern, most
technologically advanced maritime
campuses in the world. Over 3,000
Marine, Engineering and STEM students
enrol here each year.
The shipping industry contributes 3% to
global carbon emissions, predicted to
rise to 10% without action. We are here
today to add to the collective thought
leadership on the actions required to
help reverse this trend.
As we continue to meet the demand
for qualified seafarers, familiar with the
latest maritime technology, awareness
of environmental issues, and the impact
these will have on future generations,
must be looked at in greater depth.
Here, at City of Glasgow College,
we are working with the Maritime
Skills Commission to ensure our next
generation seafarers are similarly
equipped to contribute to the wider
maritime sector.
Our College has embraced digital
disruption with teaching practices
that are ushering in exciting new
pedagogies. As new technology
presents opportunities to boost social
mobility and improve access, we need
to ensure that the environment is at the
forefront of new innovations and at the
heart of education.
Equally important is our firm focus on
developing essential soft skills such as
problem solving and creativity, vital in
enabling shipping to meet its Carbon
Zero challenge by 2050. Above all, we
remain committed to providing the best
pipeline of maritime and engineering
talent to meet the UK's economic and
environmental needs.
We are honoured to have some of the
most influential industry leaders and
technologists from across the maritime
sector joining us to take part in this
seminar. I look forward to a stimulating
and thought-provoking event, and to
meeting you in person.
Dr Paul Little, Principal & Chief
Executive, City of Glasgow College