Expand your scope of opportunities
By Jon Mikkelsen, Program Director of the MEL in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
The global marine industry is in the midst of a period of transition, spurred by the push to significantly reduce emissions by 2050 as well as the opportunities to optimize design, construction and operations by integrating new technologies, including machine learning. These broader industry trends underline the need for versatile professionals who can navigate change and successfully manage teams and assets.
Since 2016, UBC’s Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NAME) has served an important role in helping professionals gain the knowledge and skills needed to transition to new roles within the marine sector and be leaders in their field. Many students come from a seafaring background and want to move into shore-based roles. Others may be interested in shifting into positions with greater responsibility or in a different area of the marine sector.
One of the key strengths of the program is its integration of technical knowledge with essential business and leadership skills. This unique blend ensures that graduates are not only proficient in their technical field but also possess the soft skills needed to excel in leadership and management roles.
When I meet with members of our industry advisory group they consistently emphasize the importance of these interpersonal and communication skills. They are looking for people who are able to be the bridge between different teams and areas of expertise. For example, people working directly with clients need to be able to help clients identify their needs, translate those needs into engineering specifications, liaise with others (including accounting teams) and communicate those engineering specs with the shipwrights. All of this requires a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen.
Students acquire this knowledge over the 12-month program and its many opportunities for industry-linked project work. In the summer term, for example, students participate in industry-sponsored projects or paid internships with local marine sector companies, providing them with local work experience and the opportunity to apply their skills in real-world settings. It’s also a great way to build their resumes and gain valuable industry connections.
We’re constantly looking at ways to ensure our program is relevant and connected to industry needs. In the summer of 2024, the Canadian government announced its intent to purchase up to 12 submarines for the Arctic. We’re working with our colleagues in industry to address specific training needs in this area, and are potentially looking at establishing a certificate program in subsea engineering at UBC. This is still very much in the planning stages, but it could be open to MEL students and past MEL grads who want to gain a microcredential in this area
When I look at the outcomes of our graduates, I am struck by the versatility of this degree. Our alumni are working around the world, including here in North America and in Europe and Asia, demonstrating the program's international relevance. They are employed in leadership roles across the full spectrum of the marine sector, from design and construction to operations and governance.
Our program provides them with the knowledge and skills to make this transition happen. It truly can be a transformative experience, boosting students’ versatility and enabling them to expand both their scope of work and their scope of opportunities.
