Industry-academia partnership at the core of AAUC's curriculum
Discovery Reports
The booming offshore industry on the mainland stands to benefit from the specialised marine and maritime expertise of Aalesund University College (AAUC). The university college trains students to combine technology, practical skills and business acumen to sustain the growth of the mainland's offshore sector.
Boasting an excellent maritime technology and operations faculty and in-house Norwegian Maritime Competence Centre, AUCC advances knowledge transfer between Nordic and Chinese institutions through collaboration with mainland universities. It co-operates with Dalian Maritime University, Ocean University of China, Hebei Normal University and Hebei University of Science and Technology and welcomes more partnerships with mainland universities, particularly in the maritime sector.
Located near the maritime and marine clusters in Ålesund, AAUC works with international maritime companies such as Rolls-Royce Marine, STX OSV and Farstad Shipping. Through close collaboration with the clusters, AAUC established a simulation centre for offshore operations, navigation, anchor handling and dynamic positioning. The simulation centre can connect crews from Australia, the mainland and Norway. AAUC is developing a virtual prototype to enhance the simulation experience of students.
AAUC's academia-industry partnership goes beyond the maritime sector. The university college is in dialogue with the industry for its other faculties: health sciences, international marketing, life sciences, engineering and natural sciences. AAUC plays host to 2,000 students and 200 staff.
Innovation in interplay with business and industry - this is the vision behind the development of AAUC's study programmes and research. Cultivating students to become players in Norway's thriving economy, AAUC brings together the power of academia and industry to adapt its curriculum according to the needs of society.
"We aim to be a knowledge hub in an innovative region," says rector Marianne Synnes. "Our identity reflects our close collaboration with the business community in Norway. We expose students to first-hand knowledge of industries to motivate them to learn."
