Former acting principal of the Australian Maritime College Professor Neil Bose has been appointed to the role in a permanent capacity.
Launceston will become a world leader in marine research and training, if new Australian Maritime College principal Professor Neil Bose has his way.
Professor Bose said AMC was actively recruiting international experts to fill at least two high-level vacancies at the Newnham college, as well as targeting its student recruitment at booming Asian economies like India and, more recently, Burma-Myanmar.
He said the merger with the University of Tasmania allowed the college to expand its research program.
``There is a huge opportunity to take AMC, to build on what it already is, which is an internationally recognised training institute, to an institute which doesn't only deliver training but which builds on training,'' Professor Bose said.
Professor Bose had been AMC acting principal for a year and was permanently appointed to the role yesterday.
He said the AMC was firmly fixed in Launceston and its expansion would benefit the city.
``As we become more nationally and internationally recognised as a leading marine institute, that reputation will stick in Launceston,'' he said.
The college has about 11,000 students a year, up to 8 per cent of whom are from overseas. Professor Bose said he hoped that figure would grow.
University vice-chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen welcomed Professor Bose's appointment.
``It is very satisfying to find that after a worldwide search the best person to steer the AMC into a new era is the person already at the helm,'' Professor Rathjen said.
