Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center:

Education and preparation for careers in ocean science and technology
www.marinetech.org

Nicole Crane
Monterey Peninsula College
Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center
National Science Foundation

Wednesday, February 10, 1999
3:00 p.m.—Pacific Forum

Nineteen ninety-eight, dubbed the year of the oceans, brought unprecedented attention to the ocean’s resources and the industries and organizations that utilize and study them. The National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program is showing its commitment to improving the education of people who work in, and are interested in, ocean-related careers through their award to the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center. The MATE Center, established in September 1997, is located at Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, California.

The MATE Center is a national consortium of organizations and individuals concerned with the broad field of marine science and technology and the education of people to work in that field. The Center is coordinating and facilitating the development of a national program for marine technology education involving high schools, technical schools, community and four-year colleges, and graduate schools. The MATE Center emphasizes collaborations between educational institutions and industry, military, government, research, and labor organizations. These collaborations facilitate the development of courses and programs based on industry-established guidelines. This provides students with both academic and occupational skills and knowledge. Importantly, these collaborations will allow for the development of an educational system that meets the needs of employers and students, is flexible, and provides employers direct access to students.

A major goal of the Center is to heighten the awareness of marine-related careers and provide students, educators, workers, and employers with up-to-date information to assist them in making informed choices concerning their education and their future.

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