International Students' Success

During a four-month programme they received numerous lectures from the UKHO training team and specialist guest speakers, completed a variety of practical assignments and visited a range of work areas within the UKHO. The students also gained further insights from external visits to Bristol Port Authority, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Southampton ABP (Associated British Ports), Brixham Harbour Authority and Brixham Coastguard.

Visitors during the course included Mr Suzuki and Mr Mimura from the Japan Hydrographic Association (JHA) and Captain Hugo Gorziglia, a Director of International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB), with Mr Shigeru Nagabayashi (JHOD representative at the IHB). Captain Gorziglia reminded the students that they were all ambassadors of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and their cartographic profession, and that once qualified from this course they should use their new skills to make a difference through sharing knowledge, and supporting and applying the ethos of the IHB in enhancing standards of navigational charts and the safety of the mariner.

At the closing ceremony, attended by students, the UKHO Training team and Senior Managers at the UKHO, Peter Westcott, UKHO Corporate Training Manager, said: "This course received an unprecedented number of applications (49) from the International Hydrographic community and the six officers chosen have repaid the faith shown in them through their hard work, commitment, and positive approach. This has been a truly international collaboration, with our Japanese partners and the IHB, and we are grateful for the generosity of the NIPPON Foundation."

The students were presented with their final course certificates by the UK National Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Ian Moncrieff, who highlighted the importance and prestige of this course. He told the students: "This has been an important event, and I congratulate you all on your success. It is now important to ensure that the skills and knowledge learnt are now applied and transferred to the workplace, ensuring that in real practical terms the investment made by the NIPPON Foundation, and by your own organisations, is realised. The UKHO is proud to have been invited to deliver this programme and I thank all concerned who have made this such a successful event."

On the image: UKHO Staff and Students from left to right: Peter Westcott (UKHO Training Manager); Derek Aldridge (UKHO), Ken Blagdon (UKHO); Kazuki Hayashi (Japan); Martin Storrar (UKHO); Mazlan Atan (Malaysia); Emre Akilli (Turkey); Tita Cruz (Philippines); Gary Summers (UKHO); Manzoor Ahmed (Pakistan); Paulene Hocking (UKHO); Melanie Davis (UKHO); Doddy Promono (Indonesia); Grace Oima (Kenya); Peter Gover (UKHO).