Bandari College, Arab Academy forge strong maritime education partnership
DAR ES SALAAM: A high-profile delegation from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASMT) is visiting the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to explore potential collaborations aimed at enhancing local maritime sector’s workforce development and operational efficiency.
The delegation, led by President of AASMT Prof Ismail Abdelghafal Ismail Farah and Director and Dean of Admissions Prof Mohammed Essam Khedr, was welcomed by Bandari College Principal Dr Lufunyo Hussein, highlighting the visit’s shared goals between AASMT and TPA to advance maritime education, workforce training, and port operations.
Elaborating, Dr Hussein emphasised the importance of expanding maritime education in Tanzania, saying: “This initiative is part of the larger vision to elevate Tanzania’s maritime infrastructure and workforce.”
On his part, Prof Khedr noted the potentials for collaboration between AASMT and TPA, adding that it will integrate expertise across various international institutes to create joint courses and instructor exchanges, citing successful models in Spain, France, and Egypt.
He further said: “We have a strong market in Africa, and we can build joint programmes with Tanzanian institutes to share knowledge, resources, and instructors.
Equally, the delegation head proposed specialised training courses involving Egyptian, Norwegian, and other international instructors, aimed at covering a wide range of maritime and logistics topics with the Tanzania partners.
Acknowledging the importance of such partnerships, Dr. Hussein noted that collaboration with AASMT would help ensure the highest quality of workforce development.
He stressed that “training the right people is crucial for port security and efficiency,” and emphasized the importance of nurturing both skills and the right attitudes among maritime personnel.
In a move to further strengthen ties, Dr Hussein shared that the Tanzanian government is investing heavily in port infrastructure, with projects such as the Bagamoyo port development and modernization of the Mtwara and Tanga ports.
These efforts are aimed at improving port throughput and creating a demand for skilled professionals. “As we increase port operations and vessels, we need to ensure we have trained pilots, marine engineers, and other key personnel ready to handle the expanded capacity,” he said.
In a related development, Prof Ismail Abdelghafal, who oversees the Academy’s comprehensive programs in maritime, logistics, and technology, stressed the Academy’s role in shaping the future talent pool for Egypt and the Arab world.
Prof Ismail highlighted the Academy’s strong relationships with global institutions, including the World Maritime University, and expressed a keen interest in welcoming Tanzanian students for specialized training programs.
“The Academy’s mission is to provide advanced maritime education and prepare students for the challenges of modern maritime and logistics industries,” Prof Ismail explained. “We are ready to collaborate with Tanzanian institutions to help improve maritime operations and create a workforce equipped for future technologies.”
On her part, the Integrated Solutions for Ports Chief Executive Officer Hala El Sheridy said that the collaboration also includes technology-driven solutions, such as automation software for shipment planning and port management
She added: “We can significantly enhance port efficiency by implementing our automation systems and we look forward to bringing our solutions to Tanzania’s ports, boosting performance and operational efficiency.”
The visit culminated in discussions on drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AASMT and TPA to formalize the partnership. This MoU will outline specific areas of cooperation, including joint training programs, curriculum development, and research initiatives.
