JKUAT Marine Cadets Conclude Training – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

*The Marine Cadets march during the pass-out parade held at JKUAT.*

Marine Engineering cadets in the Department of Marine Engineering successfully held a pass-out ceremony after completing their physical fitness course at JKUAT on June 18, 2025.

The parade marked the graduation of the 4th cohort, comprising 35 marine cadets, who completed the rigorous 28-day Marine Cadet Induction Training Program at JKUAT. This training is a key requirement of the International Maritime Organization’s Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code and Convention (1978, as amended in 2010). The program is designed to enhance the cadets’ physical and mental readiness for life at sea and their overall fitness for duty as professional seafarers.

As part of the training, the cadets underwent intensive instruction in command and control and physical fitness, with activities ranging from basic personal hygiene to more advanced competencies such as fire prevention and firefighting, elementary first aid, and personal survival techniques.

*Prof. Victoria Ngumi, JKUAT Vice Chancellor, addresses attendees at the Marine Cadets’ pass-out parade.*

During her address at the pass-out ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of JKUAT, Prof. Victoria Ngumi, emphasized that the training equips marine engineering cadets not only for local opportunities but also for international careers.

Prof. Ngumi highlighted the high standards of the program, noting that the quality of training and the breadth of activities undertaken by the cadets reflect global best practices.

“The training offered enables our students to compete effectively on the global stage. This is evident in the success of our alumni, who are now working in leading shipping lines such as Carnival Cruises, V Group, BW Epic Kosan, and Symphony of the Seas,” Prof. Ngumi stated.

*The cadets demonstrate self-defense skills acquired during their training.*

The Vice Chancellor further challenged the cadets to share the skills they have acquired including elementary first aid, swimming, life skills, mental health awareness, leadership, personal survival techniques, firefighting, nutrition, security awareness, and public safety with fellow students across the university and to apply them in service to society.

The Chairman of the Department of Marine Engineering, Dr. Jonathan Munyalo, expressed gratitude for the university management’s support since the program’s inception at the main campus in 2022.

“The department is extremely grateful to the entire university management for providing the facilities necessary for this program. The physical fitness training ground, constructed specifically for our marine cadets, has been instrumental in developing their skills,” observed Dr. Munyalo.

Jacob Okindo, a first-year Marine Engineering student and the Parade Commander for the day, described the 28-day training as a transformative experience one that demanded discipline, teamwork, and personal growth.

“As Parade Commander, I carried significant responsibility from mastering every command to leading the parade with precision. It taught me resilience. My fellow cadets were instrumental in making it a success, thanks to their unity and cooperation,” Okindo noted.