News

Sailors’ Society gives North Asian cadets the full virtual conference experience

2 Aug, 2023

As a global maritime welfare charity, we are holding our third Wellness at Sea Maritime Schools’ Conference in North Asia - but this year there is even more for cadets to see and do with a new virtual conference centre.

It is the first of four 2023 conferences, taking place online next Monday (August 7), and will deliver a full virtual experience from a lobby and auditorium to interactive sessions and even a virtual space mimicking the physical stands found at trade shows and exhibitions.

The conference, sponsored by Seaspan and NorthStandard P&I, will explore the all-important subject of wellness and mental health with a focus on key and current issues facing today’s seafarers including diversity.

As well as practical advice on how to get their first job, the cadets will hear presentations from key industry leaders and influencers, including Capt. Tushar Pradhan, General Secretary, Maritime Union of India and Mariana Noceti, from the Women in Maritime Programme, at the IMO (International Maritime Organization).

Sailors’ Society CEO, Sara Baade, said: “These conferences build on the success of previous events, but this year we have partnered with FrontM to deliver a full virtual experience to our cadets.

“We know that cadets are tomorrow’s workforce and future industry leaders, so these unique events are a must for any maritime student, giving them the tools and knowledge to help manage their wellbeing as they prepare for a career at sea.”

Belinda Ward, Director (claims) at NorthStandard said: “North Asia is recognised as being one of the world’s leading areas in the supply of highly committed, highly trained and highly expert crew and NorthStandard are very excited to have been invited to sponsor this Cadet Conference and to meet the elite crew of tomorrow.”

Captain Manoj Gandhi, Country Head & Director Seaspan Crew Management India said: These conferences give us the opportunity to meet and educate future seafarers while they are still cadets. It allows us to help inform their mindset at the very start of their careers about issues such as wellness and diversity. Issues which are as important to Seaspan as they are to the cadets”.

In 2022, more than 5,000 cadets attended Sailors’ Society’s virtual conferences in India, the Philippines and Africa, with more than 95 per cent saying they should form a key element in their syllabus.

This year, the virtual conference programme continues with South East Asia on September 23, Africa on October 12 and, for the first time, the UK’s maritime colleges on November 9.

A full agenda for the North Asia cadet conference and a list of all the speakers can be found at https://www.sailors-society.org/msc-north-asia-agenda

Share this article: