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School on a ship

DUBAI - A unique academic campus on board a purpose-built ship offering students the opportunity to circumnavigate the world and prepare for college and university programmes has set course for Dubai this year, with its presence for the first time at the 16th Gulf Education and Training Exhibition held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The award winning 'Class Afloat', a unique school programme founded in 1984 offering academic programmes for grades 11, 12 and junior college levels (Foundation programme) for a semester or a full year of study, has catered to the needs of college and university students aged 16 to 19 years.

Studies onboard a 188 feet purpose-built tall ship `Concordia', specifically designed for Class Afloat in 1992, are enhanced through hands-on experience in over 20 countries.

Eric Prud'Homme, Director of Development, Class Afloat, currently in Dubai said, "Students studying at Class Afloat receive official transcripts for shipboard studies through the accreditation of our affiliated colleges and schools in Canada and around the globe."

"Class Afloat secondary studies are sanctioned by West Island College, a Canadian independent school with over 750 students in campuses in Montreal and Calgary, while post-secondary studies are sanctioned by Marie-Victorin, a Quebec-based junior college."

Class Afloat students, 48 applicants carefully selected per year, learn and grow in an exceptional setting acquiring unique experiences, skills and friendships for life, he said.

Explaining the admission criteria, Mr Homme said that a strong academic profile, general suitability and strength of character, as well as good physical health and swimming ability, are the basic criteria for admission which is limited to not more than 48 students at any given time on board.

He disclosed that as of now most applicants are Canadian or Americans but “we encourage international students to apply and this is the first time, the school is represented at the fair to seek students from the Gulf and Middle East region."

Mr Homme said the route itinerary changes every year and with every semester. A student can join the class from a particular port and complete a semester on ship before transferring back to any school around the world. This year, celebrating 20 years, Class Afloat will circumnavigate the world calling on six continents, 235 ports of call and over 1,000 students.

The participating students will depart from Victoria, British Columbia, on August 20, setting out a southwesterly course for Honolulu, Marshall Islands, Ghizo Solomon Islands, Australia, Indonesia, Seychelles, to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

The Class Afloat, he said, aims at preparing young minds and instilling values and ethics for responsible global citizenship in the 21st century.