Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has long established itself as a key provider of skilled human resources for the maritime sector, both locally and internationally. This reputation has attracted interest from major global players seeking strategic partnerships.
To this end, a delegation from the Royal Danish Embassy, led by Mr. Jesper Duer Pedersen, a Maritime adviser at the embassy held talks with JKUAT’s Vice Chancellor to gather valuable stakeholder input on education and capacity building in the maritime sector.
The meeting was informed by an existing agreement, signed in 2021, between Kenya’s State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs and the Danish Maritime Authority under the Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) program.
The SSC program provides Danish development funding to foster partnerships between Danish public authorities and their counterparts in strategically important developing countries and emerging economies, aiming to build the capacity of human resources.
During the meeting, Mr. Pedersen emphasized the importance of seeking strategic collaborations and input from institutions of higher learning on how to enhance the program to meet the ever-evolving demands of the maritime industry.
“There is a significant demand in the maritime sector for marine protection, education, and capacity building of human resources, among other areas which we believe should be emphasized in this program. JKUAT is a key player in the maritime field, and their experience in producing marine cadets for the job market makes them invaluable for providing input,” said Mr. Pedersen.
He added that the program would also offer internship opportunities for JKUAT students to gain essential onboard experience in Denmark. Additionally, Mr. Pedersen noted that the Danish Embassy is eager to support the Kenyan maritime sector through expert and knowledge exchange and internship opportunities for students.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Ngumi, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Robert Kinyua, highlighted JKUAT’s significant contributions to the maritime sector, noting that the university produces highly skilled graduates who are in demand internationally.
“We believe in partnerships that will elevate our programs and ensure our students meet international standards. This program is a welcome initiative that we hope will enhance the capacity of our cadets and enable us to produce more skilled marine engineers for the promising maritime sector,” said Prof. Ngumi.
Ms. Grace Muli, a maritime officer at the State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs, said that the program could play a pivotal role in boosting Kenya’s maritime sector, noting much work remained to fine-tune it to meet current market demands.
“By seeking stakeholder input, we ensure that we gather valuable data to address any bottlenecks the program may face. We believe that once we have a comprehensive project document, it could be a significant step forward in providing the much-needed support for the country’s blue economy,” said Ms. Muli.
