The second annual Irish Marine Industry Awards (30 June), presented the Excellence in Marine Education & Training award to the Strategic Marine Alliance for Research and Training (SMART) a training and education cluster comprising EurOcean Member, the Irish  Marine Institute and 6 Higher Education Institutes. SMART is the representative of the Marine Institute in the FP7 Eurofleets 2 project in relation to the activities in Marine Education and Training and Floating universities.

The marine industry award recognises the outstanding contribution of SMART in providing unique, accredited, ship-based training to third-level students of marine science and technology, giving students the skills, experience and confidence to carry out research and operate at sea.

Dr Peter Heffernan (left), CEO, Marine Institute, and Michael Creed, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, presenting the Excellence in Marine Education & Training Award to Dr Pauhla McGrane.

Dr Pauhla McGrane, who accepted the award, says: “We are delighted that the Marine Industry Awards have recognised the importance of training young people at sea and developing the ocean professionals of the future. Building research capacity is crucial so that we can address the multitude of problems affecting our oceans and sustainably manage our vast ocean territory for future generations.”

“SMART is completely unique globally in providing students with the opportunity to participate in accredited training at sea programmes on world-class research vessel infrastructure, while working with a dedicated team of experts”.

SMART partner institutes comprise GMIT, NUIG, UCC, Ulster University and AIT, with the support of the Marine Institute and the Higher Education Authority (HEA). For 2016 Winners please see www.mareinawards.ie

For further information on the SMART programme, please contact Pauhla McGrane pauhla.mcgrane@gmit.ie . See also www.gmit.ie and or www.smartseaschool.com .