Support and Career Development Platform for Georgian and Worldwide Maritime Graduates

Abstract

The article is a continuation of the research project "From Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to University Resource Planning (URP)" (AGA IAMUC 2022). A digital centralised system is essential for properly analysing and assessing the performance of administrative and academic staff.

In the proposed model, fundamental URP components include financial resource management, Quality Assurance Management, Human and Assets Management, Marketing & PR Management, University Administration, Faculty Governance, Academic Activities, and Student Support and Career Development. Without consolidating and measuring these activities, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) merely perceive aggregated information regarding weaknesses and gaps in achieving strategic or operational goals.The goal of the article was to study how to create a unified platform (portal and database) to support the URP's Student Support and Career Development component. The research studied Batumi State Maritime Academy’s (BSMA) alumni, government, local, and international businesses in Georgia to assure their continuing connection via an integrated remote platform. The study also evaluated IAMU member HEIs graduates’ challenges, opportunities, and labour market competitiveness. Currently, maritime universities individually sign memorandums of understanding with employers, but no centralised platform exists for ALL MEMBER UNIVERSITIES to serve both students and employers.

The objective was to study unified platform perspectives, propose the best alternative, and initiate a commonwealth system among IAMU partner universities to facilitate sharing job and career development information.

The research methodology relied on primary survey data, secondary data, and the analysis of quantitative and qualitative statistics.

In conclusion, the article detailed the development of an electronic platform and database that will assist students in finding jobs matching their specialisation and competencies. Concurrently, employers can use database filters to select students or graduates possessing the precise qualifications for their vacancies. Thus, the platform effectively connects maritime industry employers with qualified candidates.