Behind every successful company there is a team of dedicated people, and the training centre Adria Libar, which marks its 35th anniversary this year, is no exception. With qualified experts, the centre has built a sound foundation that has enabled it to maintain high quality standards throughout all these years. We sat down with Director Renata Knežić Rak to discuss how they managed to maintain their course toward excellence despite the industry challenges and to discover how Adria Libar became a symbol of premier education in the maritime and nautical industry
NP: Renata, how would you describe the course of the Training Centre during these 35 years?
First of all, I’d like to express my great pleasure and pride that we have marked this important anniversary. We started with a modest goal and a vision of elevating maritime education, and with the further development of the nautical industry, today we operate in five branches across Croatia. Over the years, the centre has become recognizable for its training and commitment to creating competent maritime professionals. Our course has been marked by work, innovation and investment in equipment, but most of all, dedication to interpersonal relations. I consider the latter to be our strongest link. Because no matter how much you push for automation, the human element, the willingness of our employees to help and find an answer, recommendation and solution is most appreciated. Our students and associates know that they can turn to us for guidance and solutions, and for us this is not a mere form, but real trust.
NP: How did you mark this significant anniversary?
The celebration was intimate and held on several occasions throughout the year. We gathered our employees, lecturers and associates to remember everything we have achieved. These people are the heart and soul of our centre. Their efforts and dedication are the foundation of our success. It was wonderful to see the community gathered, people who share a passion for maritime and nautical world.
NP: As an educational centre, you have a large network of partners. How does that cooperation contribute to the quality of your work?
Our partners are key to maintaining and improving quality. Cooperation with domestic and international institutions, maritime and nautical companies, as well as the media that convey our messages, allows us to prove that we are in line with the latest technology and standards that the market demands.
NP: We have to mention that you were the first to set industry standards in certain areas of education. Can you tell us more about that?
Yes, the centre has pioneered in establishing standards for certain specialized maritime training programmes in Croatia, particularly in the oil industry operations, anti-piracy measures, cybersecurity or other nautical issues. While maritime education is strictly defined by international conventions, in the nautical sector there is still room for improvement. Sometimes it means breaking your own boundaries and getting out of your comfort zone. In order to succeed, you have to think and act beyond traditional boundaries, to forge global partnerships in order to understand industry-specific requirements. Having accomplished hat, success is seen in managing to convey that message to the user.
NP: How does the training centre create future leaders of the maritime and nautical industry?
Our main goal is to develop students’ skills, decision-making ability and adaptability in the dynamic maritime and nautical environment. As our instructors are people who bring their own seafaring experience and knowledge with real-world perspective directly into the classroom, they create an engaging learning environment full of dynamics and interaction. It is often that our students write how a specific instructor or lecturer encouraged them to succeed. Years after completion, our alumni still recall such lecturers, as well as the place where they gained knowledge. Also, our partners in education provide insight into real jobs, and our activities provide opportunities to connect with the best professionals.
NP: Are there any obstacles in the way?
Of course, every path has its share of challenges. One of the main obstacles we face is the need to align our programmes with the rapid changes in the industry. Unfortunately, not everything is going as fast as we would like. In recent years, the nautical sector has seen tremendous dynamism. There is still some resistance to change. In those situations, staying ahead of others is essential, or at least keeping up. But those who are thinking about building a career are aware of the requirements, because when applying for a job for the first time, there are set conditions that one has to meet exclusively by gaining certification of knowledge.
NP: What are the plans for the future? Will there be further investment?
Investing in both equipment and people remains our priority, engaging qualified personnel in specific areas of work. You know, we are often in a situation where such professionals are active at sea, so we adjust the programs to their schedule of ‘’boarding and disembarking’’. But despite the challenges, the most important thing is to pursue our goal. We plan to upgrade our infrastructure across all five branches, and we started by acquiring state-of-the-art simulators and practical training equipment.
NP: How important is presence at maritime trade fairs for the training centre?
Nautical trade fairs and conferences are of particular importance, even though we do not exhibit physical products. Our “commodity” is the knowledge, skills and competencies that we develop in our students. These are the activities of the centre where we have the opportunity to discuss the challenges of the industry and where we provide the participants with information about new knowledge and trends. These are platforms for building recognition of our brand, creating new business contacts and exchanging ideas with colleagues.
NP: What would you say to everyone who is part of the nautical and maritime sector? What misconceptions can divert us from the path towards a better future?
I’m no prophet, but drawing from my 35 years of experience, I can confirm that I have been constantly learning about the job and I am still doing so. Regarding the misconceptions of the profession, I would say that maritime and nautical sector require a comprehensive approach to work and an understanding that goes beyond basic seamanship – from safety protocols and environmental standards to management and leadership. It is this holistic approach that distinguishes an exceptional professional from the average. In the nautical sector, there is a belief that the market will always be stable. The reality, however, is that conditions change and that success is possible only if we are flexible, ready for changes and continuous improvement.
In the end, I would like to say that we are all crew members who work together on the development of this industry. Our 35-year voyage proves that dedication and quality always pay off. And may the coming years be even more successful!
