Chief Academic Officer (CAO) / Provost

About the Project

We are building a digital learning platform for maritime education and training. Our goal is to create a modern digital university for maritime professionals, combining LMS, certifications, and real-world industry integration. We are currently at an early stage and working with an Open edX vendor to build and customise the core platform.

Position Overview
The Academic Officer & Provost serves as the highest academic authority of the
International Maritime University (IMU) and is responsible for the strategic leadership,
development, quality assurance, and international recognition of all academic and
professional education programs.
The position oversees the entire academic ecosystem of IMU, ensuring compliance with
international maritime, educational, and quality standards while supporting the
University's global mission.
Mission of the Position
To establish and maintain a world-class maritime academic framework that integrates
higher education, professional training, digital learning technologies, research, and
international quality standards in support of the global maritime community.
Key Responsibilities
1. Academic Program Leadership
Provide strategic leadership for the design, implementation, review, and continuous
improvement of:
a) Associate Degree Programs
b) Bachelor of Science (BSc) Programs
c) Master of Science (MSc) Programs
d) Doctoral Programs (PhD, DBA, EdD)
e) STCW Training Programs
f) Professional Maritime Certification Courses
g) Executive Education Programs
h) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programs
i) Micro-Credentials and Digital Certificates
2. Academic Standards and Compliance
Ensure that all academic and professional programs are aligned with:
a) STCW Convention Requirements
b) IMO Model Courses
c) International Maritime Organization (IMO) Recommendations
d) European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
e) European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG)
f) Bologna Process Principles
g) International Accreditation Standards
h) National and International Regulatory Requirements
3. Curriculum Development and Academic Architecture
Lead the development and maintenance of:
a) Academic program structures
b) Curriculum frameworks
c) Learning pathways
d) Modular course architecture
e) Credit systems (ECTS and equivalent)
f) Competency frameworks
g) Learning outcomes
h) Assessment methodologies
i) Academic progression models
Ensure that all programs remain relevant to the evolving needs of the maritime industry
and global labor markets.
4. Quality Assurance and Academic Excellence
Establish and supervise the University's Academic Quality Assurance System,
including:
a) Academic governance procedures
b) Curriculum review processes
c) Faculty evaluation systems
d) Learning outcome assessment
e) Internal academic audits
f) External reviews and benchmarking
g) Academic integrity standards
h) Continuous improvement mechanisms
Lead institutional readiness for:
a) National accreditation
b) International accreditation
c) ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
d) Maritime training approvals and recognition processes
5. Faculty and Academic Staff Leadership
Provide leadership for:
a) Faculty recruitment and selection
b) Academic staff development
c) Instructor qualification standards
d) Performance evaluation
e) Research development initiatives
f) Academic mentoring and coaching
g) International faculty engagement
Promote a culture of academic excellence, innovation, and professional integrity.
6. Research, Innovation, and Knowledge Development
Support the development of:
a) Maritime research initiatives
b) Applied industry research
c) Innovation laboratories
d) International research partnerships
e) Academic publications
f) Conferences and professional forums
Promote collaboration between academia, industry, and maritime administrations.
7. International Academic Partnerships
Lead academic cooperation with:
a) Universities
b) Maritime academies
c) Training institutions
d) Professional organizations
e) Accreditation agencies
f) Maritime administrations
g) International organizations
Support:
a) Joint programs
b) Dual-degree initiatives
c) Credit transfer arrangements
d) Research partnerships
e) Faculty and student mobility projects
8. Digital Learning Strategy
Provide academic oversight of:
a) Learning Management Systems (LMS)
b) Online and blended learning programs
c) Digital assessment systems
d) Virtual laboratories and simulators
e) Educational technology integration
f) Artificial Intelligence applications in learning
Ensure the quality and effectiveness of digital education delivery.
Required Qualifications
Education
Essential:
 Master's Degree or Doctorate (PhD, EdD, DBA or equivalent)
Preferred fields:
 Maritime Education
 Maritime Studies
 Nautical Science
 Marine Engineering
 Higher Education Administration
 Educational Leadership
 Related disciplines
Professional Experience
Minimum requirements:
 Senior leadership experience in maritime education or higher education
 Extensive curriculum development experience
 Experience with accreditation and quality assurance systems
 Knowledge of STCW requirements and IMO educational frameworks
 Experience managing international academic partnerships
 Experience leading institutional development projects
Preferred Experience
 Former Rector, Provost, Dean, Academic Director, or Vice-Rector
 Experience with international accreditation agencies
 Experience in online and distance education
 Experience in maritime training center approvals
 Experience working with multinational educational organizations
Core Competencies
 Academic Leadership
 Strategic Planning
 Curriculum Design and Development
 Quality Assurance Management
 Regulatory Compliance
 International Education Development
 Change Management
 Research Leadership
 Stakeholder Engagement
 Organizational Development
Reporting Structure
Reports directly to:
President / Chancellor / Board of Trustees
Directly supervises:
 Academic Deans
 Program Directors
 Quality Assurance Director
 Registrar
 Faculty Members
 Research Coordinators
 Curriculum Development Teams
Organizational Status
The Academic Officer & Provost is the senior academic executive of IMU and serves as
the principal authority for all academic matters.
Equivalent international titles include:
 Provost
 Vice President for Academic Affairs
 Academic Rector
 Chief Academic Officer
 Executive Dean
Strategic Importance for IMU
The Academic Officer & Provost is a cornerstone position within the IMU governance
structure, ensuring that the University achieves international academic credibility,
maintains excellence in maritime education, supports future accreditation efforts, and
advances its vision of becoming a globally recognized maritime university.

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