Eleven students complete first LeaderSHIP training course in Galati

The first extracurricular introductory course on the modelling of naval structures using the Finite Element Method (FEM), organised within the framework of this European Union–funded project, was successfully completed on January 20th. The course was designed to enhance students’ practical competencies in structural analysis, complementing their academic training in naval architecture and shipbuilding engineering.

Held at the “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galați, the programme comprised 28 hours of instruction covering the fundamentals of structural analysis, e.g., 3D-FEM modelling, evaluating the local and global strength of a ship hull, followed by a 2-hour evaluation session. Successful completion of this course gives the participating Romanian students clear advantages once they embark on their professional path in the maritime engineering sector: they haver obtained knowledge that is not part of the regular curriculum in their course of study.

Robert, one of the graduates, shared his impressions:

“The course was interactive and very useful. It helped me gain essential knowledge in a particularly interesting area of naval engineering, namely finite element structural analysis. What I appreciated most was the practical work, especially the moment when we carried out the actual analysis and could see the results — the deformation patterns and graphical outputs. The course also helped me understand how to use specialised software and the step-by-step process required to analyse different structures. It complements my university studies very well and offers a clear, applied perspective on naval structural design.”

This initiative contributes to the objectives of the EU-funded project by strengthening the link between academic education and industry-relevant skills, thereby supporting the professional development of future engineers in the maritime sector.

Graduates of the course are expected to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in collaboration with Romanian shipbuilding and naval design companies, further reinforcing the connection between education and industry needs.