Kongsberg Digital (KDI) has just been awarded a significant contract to provide the University of Cebu, Philippines with a K-Sim Engine cloud-based simulation solution for its marine engineering faculty. The generous scope of delivery comprises a total of 185 K-Sim Engine eLearning licenses, accompanied by instructor training capabilities. Certified according to DNV’s new class D standard and available via KDI’s digital platform, K-Sim Connect, the eLearning solution enables students at home to run online simulation exercises with the same engine models as the K-Sim Engine simulator systems already installed on the University’s METC and Lapu-Lapu Mandaue campuses.

The University’s adoption of a blended learning strategy, combining simulation training at campus with cloud-based simulation training at home, represents a considered and timely response to the ongoing Covid situation in the region. For reasons of legality and understandable caution, only a limited number of face-to-face training hours are allowed on the campuses. KDI’s cloud-based eLearning setup is therefore an indispensable, cost-effective solution for allowing the University to fulfil its blended learning ambitions. Meanwhile, the students will benefit by getting the most sophisticated online simulation training straight into their own homes. Crucially, it will enable students who were unable to complete their curriculum due to coronavirus to resume the exercises required to log their mandatory laboratory training hours.

Another distinct advantage for the University is the flexibility to extend the number of licenses and/or the number of hours by which users can access the system. Moreover, it substantially increases the University’s capability to allow more students to access the simulators at a given time and benefit from volume training.

“The University of Cebu is one of the largest in the entire country, and we have always pursued excellence in tuition, research and innovation,” says Atty. Augusto W Go, the institution’s President. “When the lockdowns occurred, we pledged to acquire and utilize the appropriate technology to protect and enhance our educational services. Kongsberg Digital’s high-quality online solutions are a game-changer for the maritime industry: with this cloud-based asset on board we expect to attract more students to the region, and are pleased to be progressing with training methodologies which are fit for the future.”

“Offering reliable and advanced training solutions is a key differentiator in a market where sustainability, accreditation and compliance are highly valued,” adds Andreas Jagtøyen, Executive Vice President Digital Ocean, Kongsberg Digital. “Our drive to introduce and provide our customers with new digital work-surfaces will assist the University of Cebu in producing the marine professionals of tomorrow, and thereby contributing to the very important and well recognized maritime industry in the Philippines.”