Electromechanics is a section of electrical engineering that discusses the general principles of electromechanical energy conversion, therefore, a marine electromechanic is a specialist who is engaged in the practical application and operation of electromechanical devices on board. However, graduates of electromechanical specialty receive wide-ranging training and are able to provide technical operation not only of electrical equipment and automation of ships, ship power plants, but also waterside power systems, waterside power stations, etc. What can’t be said about graduates of related specialties of Polytechnic Universities, who need to undergo postgraduate training or retraining at certified training centers, institutes of postgraduate education, etc., to take the suitable position on the ship.

The training of electromechanical profile specialists at the National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” (NU «OMA») has been going on since 1944, namely since the establishment of the university as Odessa Higher Maritime School and is based on the model course of the International Association of Maritime Universities (International Association of Maritime) Universities (IAMO) for Electrotechnical Officer and as defined in section A-III/6 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, with the 2012 Manila Amendments.

The faculty prepares graduates with the first (bachelor’s), second (master’s) and third (doctor of philosophy) levels of higher education.

Qualifications related to the ship electromechanics training course can be described by the following learning outcomes:

– advanced knowledge in marine electrical engineering, electronics and automation;

– the ability to collect and interpret material data to make decisions about complex and unforeseen problems in professional activity;

– ability to share information, problems, judgments, ideas and decisions with management, managers and subordinate staff;

– ability to manage complex professional activities in the field of marine electrical engineering, electronics and automation;

– the ability to train the ship’s personnel and manage the professional development of the subordinate groups.

The Electrical Engineering and Radio Electronics Faculty was reorganized on July 9, 2003 on the basis of the Electrical Engineering Faculty and the Faculty of Radioelectronics. The faculty includes departments of ship electromechanics and electrical engineering, electrical equipment and automation of ships, marine radio communication, marine electronics, higher mathematics. The specialties of the Faculty have been internationally accredited at the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST, London, UK).

Obtaining the specified qualification and high level of professional training of graduates of electromechanical specialty at NU “OMA” is provided by teachers of higher qualification – professors and associate professors, most of whom are certified electromechanics, and modern certified laboratory and training equipment. Faculty teachers have prepared and published a number of textbooks, manuals that are recognized and used both in Ukraine and abroad. Leading scientists of the faculty manage applicants, graduate students and doctoral students.

During the study, the students of the Faculty undergo various types of training: technological, educational seagoing and production seagoing on the ships of internal and foreign shipowners, as well as training on certified simulators.

Graduates of the specialty have the opportunity to receive basic general engineering and special vocational training in accordance with the requirements of the Radio Regulations and the International Convention of the National Standard 78/95. They are capable of performing the functions of receiving and transmitting information using the GMDSS subsystem and equipment, fulfill the functional requirements of GMDSS, carry out maintenance, tuning and repair of ship and shore radio equipment, radar, radio navigation and computer equipment.

Application procedure

Foreigners having a complete secondary education and without restrictions on racial characteristics, color of the skin, political, religious and other beliefs, sex, ethnic and social origin, financial status, place of residence, language and other features can be admitted for studying at the university. The University admits foreign citizens to the full-time form of education for obtaining of following education degrees: a bachelor’s and master’s degrees provided that they undergo medical professional selection at “Odessa Maritime Academy” National University. Persons who have not undergone a medical examination or whose health state does not meet the medical requirements defined will not be permitted to participate in the competition. The course of training for foreign citizens in the Academy performed on a contractual basis in Russian and in accordance with the curricula for the chosen specialty.

University entrants who cannot speak Ukrainian or Russian are provided with a 10-month mandatory preparatory course of training for studying of language and special terminology and to learn more about the history of Ukraine, the traditions of the university, as well as the consolidation of knowledge in general subjects. Graduation exams after graduation from the preparatory department of Odessa Maritime Academy shall be considered introductory ones for the admission to the first year. Graduates of preparatory departments of other universities of Ukraine, as well as foreign citizens who can speak Ukrainian/Russian shall be interviewed in Ukrainian/Russian languages, mathematics and physics at the time of their admittance to the university.

Terms of course of training shall be as follows: for a bachelor’s degree – 4 years, a master’s degree – 1,5 years. The total term of study is 5,5 years. To obtain the Master’s degree can be admitted the undergraduates who have already obtained the Bachelor’s degree and who passed final examinations along with an examination in English required for obtaining the Master’s degree. The graduates from other higher educational institutions should pass the entrance examinations in the major and English to pursue studies for obtaining the Master’s degree.

To receive an entry visa to Ukraine (from foreign countries, as well as from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), you need to receive an invitation to study and for this purpose you will need to submit to the academy or its partner company the information as follows: surname and given name, the birthdate (i.e. the day, month and year of birth), series and national passport number, a citizenship and the name of the country issuing the entry visa. The invitation to study will be issued to the university entrant personally or to a partner company from the 1st of June of the current year.

For admission to the university it is necessary to submit the following documents starting from August 15:

a questionnaire of the standard form;
an international passport and its copy;
original and a copy of the complete secondary education document and supplement to it;
health certificate certified by an official health authority of the country from which the alien arrived. It should be issued not later than two months before entering Ukraine for a study;
original and copy of the birth certificate;
12 color photographs in size of 3.5 x 4.5 cm;
insurance policies (issued at the university after enrollment, as well as during the submission the documents for the extension of the period of stay in Ukraine).

The passport, educational document, health certificate and birth certificate must be certified by a notary public and translated into Ukrainian in accordance with the legislation of the country of issue, as well as legalized in accordance with the defined procedure by the Consulate of Ukraine located in the respective country.

The course of training starts from September 1. In all cases the University does not cover the costs arisen due to registration, issuance of visas, accommodation and meals, travelling of university entrances to the territory of Ukraine and abroad.

The University has no obligations whatsoever with the arrival and stay of a family of students in Ukraine and does not provide them with a housing. Foreign students have the right to be provided with a place in the academy’s dormitory and may participate in social, sportive and cultural life of the Academy, as well as to do research work.