Grant from Norway Provides 10.5 Million NOK in Fellowships

WMU is pleased to announce the conclusion of a grant agreement with the Government of Norway. A total amount of up to NOK 10.5 million will be made available through the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) in 2015-2017 to support student fellowships for excellent candidates from developing countries. Priorities for the fellowship programme will center on building maritime capacity and positively impacting the environment, climate and gender equality. Priority will be given, in the first instance, to students from Somalia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Myanmar, Philippines, Nigeria and Vietnam.  Students from least developed countries or lower-middle income countries could also be considered.

The planned effect of this grant is to achieve a high level of academic and professional maritime and ocean-related expertise that can then be used by the Norwegian Fellows when they return to their home countries after graduation to promote economic, social and environmental development of their country and region. Up to 12 Norwegian Fellows will be supported each year.

 In thanking the Norwegian Government for this important contribution, WMU’s President, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry said: “This grant will make a very significant difference across the world to maritime capacity building. It will support the countries, whose students are selected to the M.Sc. programme, to build their capacity in maritime and ocean subjects. It will also support the implementation of international regulations by developing countries and assisting them in the implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”