Following a successful year of working together, Falmouth Marine School and Falmouth Harbour Commissioners have formalised their partnership through the creation of the Falmouth Marine Enterprise Project (FaMe) and subsequent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

Head of Falmouth Marine School, David Stedman and Harbour Master, Captain Mark Sansom, met at Falmouth Harbour Commissioners this week to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the FaMe project, accompanied by project leaders Harriet Knowles, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners Maritime Sustainable Development Officer, and Dr Claire Eatock, Marine Science degree Programme Manager.

The Memorandum agrees a coordinated and cost-effective approach to the undertaking of student research in the Falmouth marine environment. The FaME Project has been established to facilitate this research and encourage the sharing of resources, raising the awareness of the port whilst providing the students with real industry experience.

Captain Mark Sansom, Harbour Master and Chief Executive of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, said: "The partnership enables Falmouth Harbour Commissioners to address skills issues at a local educational level whilst ensuring a sustainable and cost effective source of research of the port environment."

Students will bid for sponsorship towards their final year research project in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style interview to a panel of industry experts. Successful applicants will receive feedback on their proposals and depending on their project requirements, support can be allocated in the terms of finance, industry contacts, mentoring and support from industry experts. In addition to bidding for their projects, the students are required to present their research at the annual research day to professionals in the marine industry.

Dr Claire Eatock, Programme Manager, said: "The importance of researching current issues and interacting with the business community is a vital developmental element of the degree programme. This project provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their own research specialities and to communicate within a real business context delivering live projects to a high professional standard in preparation for their next steps in education or employment.”

David Stedman, Head of Falmouth Marine School commented: "The college has 30 years of experience in providing university courses which are designed with employers to ensure they meet the needs of industry. At our recent OFSTED inspection we gained an 'outstanding' for our work with employers; this programme is a prime example of that work."

All undergraduate courses at Falmouth Marine School are awarded by Plymouth University.
If you are interested in studying at Falmouth Marine School call: 01326 310310,
email: falenquiries@cornwall.ac.uk or visit www.falmouthmarineschool.ac.uk.

First year degree students studying Marine Science at Falmouth Marine School recently got the chance to present their final year project proposals to a panel of industry experts and academic staff at Falmouth Marine School.

Using a similar format to 'Dragons’ Den', students studying the Marine Science Foundation Degree pitched their project ideas to a panel of industry experts: John Langham, Challenger Marine; Margaret Upton, University College Falmouth; David Green, External Examiner from Aberdeen University; Claire Grey, Plymouth University; Harriet Knowles, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners and Falmouth Marine School’s academic staff, Trudy Russell, Dr Claire Eatock and finally Clive Pollitt, who was a past Marine Science degree student at the College. 
   
The projects, which are sponsored by the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, will count towards the students’ final grades for their degree course through the Falmouth Marine Enterprise project (F.a.M.E). F.a.M.E is a partnership programme developed as a result of the industry’s need for concrete evidence about issues and solutions that affect it and the students need to be ready for the workplace from the offset. Matching these two factors has created the Falmouth Marine Enterprise partnership, where practical industry projects are linked directly to student research.   

The event provides students with the opportunity to test their communication and research skills and actively engage with the business community. Dr Claire Eatock, Programme Manager, said: "The importance of researching current issues and interacting with the business community is a vital developmental element of the degree-level programme. The event provides the students with the opportunity to demonstrate their own research specialities and to experience presenting and communicating within a real business context in preparation for their final assessment and presentation next year.”

Harriet Knowles from Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, said: "It was great to see the enthusiasm and excitement the students had for their projects. The depth of knowledge and skills each individual already holds was evident, their career is already mapping itself. I’ve really enjoyed being part of the event and look forward to seeing their final projects in June 2013."

Student Alex Sullivan presented his project proposal that will investigate the biodiversity and distribution of native and non-native species in the Fal, specifically he will analyse data collected at three sites to see if these factors differ between domestic and commercial dockyards. Alex said: "It was a great opportunity to get some feedback on my project. I believe that my research is very relevant, especially as I have made contact with the Wildlife Trust and Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, who have given me support and will add my data to their regional database, but having it endorsed by several experts in the industry has given me more confidence to continue with my project."

The students now have the opportunity to develop their projects based on the feedback given. Once completed they will present them at Falmouth Marine School's annual research day held at the National Maritime Museum, to which the panel and additional industry experts will be invited.

Dave Linnell, Principal of Cornwall College of which Falmouth Marine School is part, commented: “The College has 30 years of experience in providing degree-level courses and degree programmes are designed with employers to ensure they meet the needs of industry. Lecturers at the College are industry professionals, often with years of experience working in the field that they are now teaching in which all helps students graduate with the skills and experience necessary to hit the workplace running.”

All undergraduate courses at Falmouth Marine School are approved by Plymouth University.
If you are interested in studying at Falmouth Marine School call: 01326 310310,
email: falenquiries@cornwall.ac.uk or visit www.falmouthmarineschool.ac.uk.