Namibia and Finland launch maritime education project
Toasting during the launching of MARINAM are Kari Saloranta, Dr. Juha Kämäri, Managing Director of Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) in Finland, Her Excellency Anne Saloranta, Charge d’Affaires of Finland, Honourable Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernard Esau, Professor Errol Tyobeka from Polytechnic of Namibia and Acting Director of Namibia Maritime and Fisheries Institute (NAMFI), Cornelius Bundje.
The project, dubbed MARINAM, is financed by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a tune of N$5.6 million in corporation with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources for the years 2013 to 2015. The purpose of the project is to make maritime education in Namibia meet the requirements of the international standard and, at a later stage, have it approved by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
In 2010, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource ordered a research vessel from the STX Finland Rauma Shipyard. Minister Bernhard Esau and Permanent Secretary Ulitala Hiveluah attended the keel-laying ceremony and were acquainted with the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences’ maritime education.
SAMK trained officers on board the commissioned vessel Mirabilis and the Finnish Environment Institute provided Namibians with hydrological know-how.
Speaking at the launch, Honourable Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resource, Bernard Esau announced that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the ministry and the Satakunta University is due to be signed in due course. “This MOU will cover the common goal of the safe and smooth operation of the research vessel by its masters, officers and operational crew,” said the minister.
Esau added that additional training has been identified and planned for the current academic year 2013 in areas like ship handling, maintenance program and logistic, Dynamic Positioning advanced course as well as maritime contracts and law. The curriculum of maritime education will be screened and amended on the basis of good practices identified in SAMK’s education and part of the co-operation arrangement is for SAMK to offer its expertise to contribute to the development of maritime education in Namibia.
The project will support the maritime cluster of Namibia by promoting the rise and preservation of the sustainable jobs in the maritime field.
