Partnering to strengthen maritime education and training
Kenyan and Korea to implement MoU
KENYA: A Korean delegation is assessing the maritime and shipping curricula as well as training programmes of two notable Kenyan institutions in order to rate them against global standards with the view to strengthening the country’s capacity to further develop their maritime sector.
This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Kenya and the Republic of Korea in June 2024, involving the Korean Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology (KIMFT) and the Bandari Maritime Academy on maritime education and training.
The Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho hosted a delegation from KIMFT to discuss the MOU’s implementation in greater detail after appearing before the Senate Plenary to provide an update on initiatives to boost the mining, blue economy and maritime sectors for the benefit of the Kenyan people.
Highlighting strategies to streamline the sector focusing on training and capacity building for artisanal miners, tackling illegal mining and implementing checks to prevent environmental degradation, he also informed the Senate about efforts through the State Department for the Blue Economy and Fisheries, which has trained 875 youths in deep-sea fishing among other initiative, fostering job creation and economic empowerment.
Joho also outlined the measures already taken to ensure locally trained seafarers gain global recognition, and emphasised steps being undertaken to enhance safety in Kenyan oceans and lakes.
The Cabinet Secretary is also exploring opportunities to work with Maersk to help build capacity for Kenyan maritime professionals, especially cadets.
Meeting with Naved Zafar and Oliver Bunting of Maersk, who visited his office last week, they discussed collaborative strategies for enhancing maritime operations.
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