Captain Ara, President of the Mercantile Marine Institute of Japan,
Mr.Kanamaru, Director General of Seafarers Department, Ministry of Transport of Japan,
Professor Zade, Vice Rector of the World Maritime University, Distinguished Guests and
Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen.
As you know, I succeeded Mr. Leonard in January 1995 as President of
IMLA. It is now my great honour to address you today on the opening of the 9th
International Conference on Maritime Education and Training, which is being held in the
Asian region for the very first time.
I should first of all like to extend my appreciation to Captain Ara,
President of the Mercantile Marine Institute of Japan, who is the host for this
Conference, and also to thank Professor Dr.Inoue, President of Kobe University of
Mercantile Marine for the most generous hospitality shown to the participants.
I am also very grateful to Mr.Kanamaru, Director General of Seafarers
Department, Ministry of Transport of Japan for his considerable support and also to the
Ministry of Education of Japan, The Nippon Foundation and Japan Maritime Promoting
Association for their special support.
I should like to thank the Kobe City Government for their strong
support and in particular to show my deep respect for the extensive rehabilitation efforts
within the City of Kobe following the disastrous earthquake last year.
I would like to extend my appreciation to Professor Zade, Vice Rector
of the World Maritime University for its unfailing support to the IMLA.
Finally, I would like to extend my appreciation to all members of the
IMLA and participants for attending this Conference from over forty countries in the
world.
Since our last biennial Conference which was held in Portugal in 1994,
the IMLA
