Portraits of teachers from Piri Reis High School – Aparu Vlad Ștefan
The “Piri Reis” Vocational Highschool of Tuzla, Istanbul, stands as a hub for maritime education, fostering invaluable experiences for students aspiring to navigate the global maritime industry, under the guidance of the principal - sir Samet Mercemek, the school’s principal who we had the privilege to meet not only during our group’s visit to Tuzla, but also when a number of Turkish teachers and students came to our high school in Constanța.
Having a total of 40 specialized teachers, it offers a curriculum tailored to meet students' interests, the school offers two main programs: Deck Business Administration and Ship Machinery Business Administration. These programs provide teachers with the necessary equipment for immersive training through state-of-the-art simulators. As our group has thoroughly seen, the institution's commitment to practical learning is evident in its comprehensive workshops and laboratories; the Shipping Workshop covers a range of essential tasks, from ship customs to deck operations, emphasizing maintenance and organizational duties. Meanwhile, the Navigation Laboratory delves into coastal, current, and celestial navigation, preparing students to handle the various sea conditions.
In the Ship Machinery Workshop, students gain expertise in diesel engine performance, injector maintenance, and managing engine room operations. Beyond machinery, teachers prioritize electrical knowledge through the Basic Electricity Workshop, covering electrical circuits, measuring instruments, and working with DC sources. The school boasts an immersive maritime simulator, akin to a ship's bridge, that our group enthusiastically played with. Here, students can immerse themselves in realistic navy scenarios and take exams, helping them familiarize themselves with navigation instruments and protocols.
Moreover, the institution and its teachers actively help students to be prepared for the challenges of the maritime industry but also instill in them a sense of responsibility towards safety, efficient operations at sea, and environmental protection, being a part of the Blue Seas Initiative.