"Purpose of the model courses The purpose of the IMO model courses is to assist maritime training institutes and their teaching staff in organizing and introducing new training courses@ or in enhancing@ updating or supplementing existing training material where the quality and effectiveness of the training courses may thereby be improved. It is not the intention of the model course program to present instructors with a rigid ""teaching package"" which they are expected to ""follow blindly"". Nor is it the intention to substitute audiovisual or ""programmed"" material for the instructor's presence. As in all training endeavors@ the knowledge@ skills and dedication of the instructor are the key components in the transfer of knowledge and skills to those being trained through IMO model course material. Because educational systems and the cultural backgrounds of trainees in maritime subjects vary considerably from country to country@ the model course material has been designed to identify the basic entry requirements and trainee target group for each course in universally applicable terms@ and to specify clearly the technical content and levels of knowledge and skill necessary to meet the intent of IMO conventions and related recommendations."