A landmark collaboration between the Regional Maritime University (RMU) and the renowned Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology (KIMFT) and Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU) is in the offing.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Government of Ghana through Ghana’s Ambassador to Korea, Mr Kojo Choi, follows his recent maritime regional tour in Busan and subsequent visit to KIMFT.
Mr Kojo Choi with KIMFT President Kim Min-Jong
The collaboration is expected to secure placement opportunities for RMU students on KIMFT’s Global Onboard Training Programme.
The development is anticipated to significantly benefit RMU students, as the programme offers practical onboard training opportunities for maritime students aboard Korean training vessels.
Disclosing this on his Facebook page, Ambassador Choi, who met with President Kim Min-Jong and the senior leadership of the institute, stated that “every year, KIMFT trains and certifies tens of thousands of seafarers for Korea’s maritime industry. As Korea continues to face shortages of young maritime professionals, international cooperation in maritime training is becoming increasingly important.”
During the discussions, Ambassador Choi emphasised Ghana’s strategic position as a potential key partner for Korea in maritime training, citing the country’s youthful and energetic population, growing maritime and fisheries sector, strategic access to the Gulf of Guinea, and the presence of one of West Africa’s leading maritime institutions, RMU.
He further noted that “one of the most encouraging engagements centred on KIMFT’s Global Onboard Training Programme, which provides practical sea-time training opportunities for maritime students from developing countries using Korean training vessels.”
“This programme has already benefited students from many countries around the world. However, participation from West Africa has remained very limited. I therefore strongly requested that Ghanaian students, especially students from RMU, be considered for future participation in the programme. I was especially encouraged that KIMFT responded very positively to this request and strongly expressed their willingness to work toward accepting Ghanaian RMU students from the next programme cycle,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to South Korea, Mr Paul S. Massaquoi, also disclosed plans for RMU and its member states to partner with the renowned Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU) to strengthen the maritime and shipping sectors across the region.
Mr Paul S. Massaquoi(second right) with KMOU officials
According to him, the collaboration would focus on advancing maritime training, expanding industry opportunities and enhancing maritime security and safety within the sub-region.