On 27 September, Maritime Research Alliance is co-organizing a conference on research-based maritime education together with Danish Shipping.
We are delighted to invite you to this year’s Maritime Education Conference, hosted by Maritime Research Alliance and Danish Shipping. This year’s conference puts the spotlight on Research and Industry Collaboration – and the powerful impact that comes when cutting-edge academic insight meets hands-on maritime practice.
Look forward to a program filled with inspiring keynotes, sharp presentations and engaging debates. Together, we will explore how education and industry not only shape each other – but also co-create the skills and competences that will define the future of shipping.
This is your chance to take part in shaping tomorrow’s maritime workforce – where knowledge turns into action, and collaboration drives innovation.
See the full programme below:
10:00 Welcome
10:00 Allan Dan Jensen, Head Marine HR | Thomas Roslyng Olesen, Head of MRA
Opening remarks to the Maritime Education Conference 2025 framing a day dedicated to knowledge, dialogue and maritime competence development.
10:10 Why Knowledge Needs Practice | Vincent Hendricks, Dr.phil., PhD, Professor
Keynote on why research and practice must go hand in hand in education – and why this principle is vital not only in general, but also for the future of maritime training and the industry.
10:40 Future of Maritime Education | Thomas Roslyng Olesen, Head of MRA
Presentation of the latest report on higher maritime education – highlighting key trends, challenges and opportunities, and what they mean for the future skills and competitiveness of the maritime sector.
11:00 Coffee Break
11:10 Research in Action | Henrik Mikkelsen, Sr Lecturer | Agnieszka Nowinska,
Assoc. Professor
Experience how research is brought into the classroom and put into practice in the industry: from extending the life of e-ferry batteries for the green transition to turning shipping data into a goldmine for smarter teaching, management and practice.
12:10 Lunch & Networking
13:00 PhD Insights with Industry | Elma Ramic, PhD (SDU) | Oliver Riise Thomsen,
PhD (DTU)
Learn how two PhD projects, developed in close collaboration with the shipping industry, provide specialised expertise – from tackling motion sickness offshore to using data and algorithms for next-level planning at sea – with industry representatives also sharing why they chose to collaborate and the value these collaborations create.
14:00 Coffee, Tea & Cake
14:20 Shaping Tomorrow’s Competences | Panel Debate
Foundations, politicians and industry leaders will share their perspectives on how the maritime workforce of the future can best be equipped – bringing diverse viewpoints together in a dynamic debate about skills, competences and future demands.
15:00 Sparkling Wine & Networking