Factors Impacting Curricula in Maritime Simulator-based Education

The nature of the competencies that maritime students require to work successfully in the industry has undergone significant changes, which require higher education providers to adapt. The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) was adopted by the International Maritime Organization. The STCW Code includes both guidance and constraints for the maritime education and training (MET) curriculum, which may lead to wide variability in implementation. However, a curriculum is influenced by many factors, including regulatory, social and cultural factors. This study examines the impact of such factors on curricula in MET using a concept map based on relevant literature that illustrates the relationships between these factors. The findings highlight significant concepts and ideas for developing an effective, comprehensive and coherent MET curriculum to ensure that students acquire the necessary skills for this safety-critical industry.