Govt pledges to resolve DMI challenges
THE government has pledged to address challenges facing the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI) in a move to make it produce more competent seafarers and other supporting staff to work in blue economy sectors.
The promise was made on Friday in Dar es Salaam by Deputy Minister for Work and Transport, Mr Atupele Mwakibete, when he officiated at the DMI 18th graduation ceremony held in Dar es Salaam.
In the graduation 904 graduates were awarded certificates and among them 11 received master degrees.
He said he was aware of the efforts being undertaken by DMI management to solve some challenges including training ship, shortage of classrooms, office, and other training facilities which have been critical challenges for the institute.
“As initial stage to solve the challenges I would like to advise DMI management to list all challenges and recommendations on how best we can address them, and once presented to my office we will work on them immediately,” he said.
He advised the graduates to use their skills for the benefit of the nation and be patriotic to their nation.
The deputy minister said there were numerous opportunities in blue economy compared to other sectors, calling upon the graduates to take advantage of them.
“Go and work diligently after the graduation, use your skills to improve your personal economy and the economy of the nation through opportunities that are available in blue economy and you should be example to other youths, inspire them so that they can come and join DMI,” he said.
The Deputy Minister also urged them not to relax with the level of education they had attained but they should strive to go to the next level to increase their competence in maritime issues.
“I believe if you consider what I have said you will succeed and you will be good ambassador of DMI and promote it inside and outside the country,” he said.
Mr Mwakibete noted that the government was recognising that transportation of huge consignment outside the country through ocean is the fundamental in the economic growth and that is why is expanding the DMI obligations so that it can contribute immensely in the economic growth.
“This means that DMI graduates are the ones who are waited to work in blue economy activities including ship operations, port operations, transportations and logistics, oil and gas, architecture and ship constructions,’ he said.
Meanwhile, the DMI Board Chairman, Captain Ernest Bupamba, said an international organisation called Det Norsk Veritas Gemanischer Lyod conducted quality control supervision and was satisfied that DMI is the Centre of Excellence in East and Southern Africa.
He said in implementation of its obligations, DMI has continued providing training which meets international standards adding that the institute has accreditation from NACTVET.
Captain Bupamba said they have always adhered to international standards and that is why they continued to increase the number of its courses and increase enrolment every year.
He said the institute started with only 12 students in 1981 but for the academic year of 2022 they have enrolled 2,542 students and he commended government for solving some challenges which were facing the institute.
He mentioned one of the solved challenges as the commencement of the Education Fund (MET FUND) where for the academic year 2020/2021 36 were sponsored by the fund, 2021/2022, 173 students were funded and for academic year of 2022/2023 a total of 229 were sponsored by the fund.
He said MEF FUND has helped the institute to get Live Radar worth 200 million adding that the ministry has helped the institute to get Full Mission Engine Simulator while in this financial year they expect to get two modern Simulators.
