Greek education conquers London

UWL and BCA College to establish Hellenic Institute of Maritime Studies in London

University of West London (UWL) and Business College of Athens (BCA) signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday 22 November to form the Hellenic Institute of Maritime Studies (HIMS) based in London. Due to launch in summer 2024, HIMS will provide executive training, postgraduate education, and maritime research.

Attending the signing from UWL were President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter John CBE, Provost and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Woodman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) Sara Raybould, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business Development) Dr Suresh Gamlath, Director of Property Services Claire Willitts, and Director of Global Partnerships Mary McCrindle.

The representatives from BCA College were President Basil Daskalakis, CEO Harris Daskalakis, Dean (Academic Director) Dr Spyros Kostakis, and Director of Shipping Studies, Apostolos Poulovassilis.

Describing the signing as a milestone, UWL Vice-Chancellor Peter John said, “Maritime studies in its wider sense will now be offered in London and elsewhere and we hope to enlarge the whole offering to include cyber security, marine engineering management, and marine finance so it is much wider than shipping. This partnership will not only be based in London but will have a global reach as well.”

“BCA College is proud to form the first-ever partnership between British and Greek academic institutions in UK,” commented CEO Harris Daskalakis. “HIMS will provide cutting-edge Masters degrees and executive education, as well as conduct research in issues currently affecting the global shipping industry, such as sustainability, alternative fuels and autonomous vessels.”

BCA College has over 50 years of excellence in delivering maritime education in Greece and offers Bachelors and Masters degree programmes in partnership with UWL in the three most sought after areas of the labour market: Business, Hospitality and Tourism, Shipping studies, Psychology and Education studies.

HIMS will offer degree courses in Shipping Business, Finance, Marine Engineering, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and Maritime Cyber Security, Logistics and Law. It will also provide executive training and qualifications to upskill industry professionals. UWL and BCA College will also create a Centre of Excellence in Maritime Research focusing on areas including decarbonisation, digitalisation, technology, and marine and maritime policies.