WMU Signs MoU with the State Department for Shipping and Maritime of Kenya
WMU is the International Maritime Organization’s world centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime and oceans education, professional training and research, with a dedication to building global capacity and promoting sustainable development. The year 2020 marks 37-years of the World Maritime University (WMU)’s contribution in building global capacity in the fields of maritime transportation, maritime policy, maritime administration, management, safety, security and protection of marine environment. WMU’s vision is to inspire leadership and innovation for a sustainable maritime and oceans future.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between WMU and Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works, State Department for Shipping and Maritime in an extraordinary virtual ceremony held on 8 July 2020.
The MOU was signed by Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU and Mrs. Nancy W. Karigithu, CBS, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Shipping and Maritime. The signing was witnessed by senior WMU officials and various Government officials of Kenya from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The MOU creates a partnership between Kenya and WMU that supports the growth of a well-developed, coordinated and efficient shipping and maritime sector by providing specialized maritime and ocean education, training, research and capacity-building.
The MOU aligns with WMU’s capacity building mission as well as the University’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 focused on inclusive and equitable quality education for all, Goal 13 focused on climate action, Goal 14 focused on life below water, as well as Goal 17 focused on partnerships.
The President of WMU, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, welcomed the signing of this MOU with the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works. She stated “This is a historic cooperation between WMU and the Government of Kenya and in particular the State Department for Shipping and Maritime. This partnership will enable us to support the further development of Kenya’s shipping and maritime sector, enabling it to take advantage of the expertise of the University for its further growth.”
The Principal Secretary of the State Department for Shipping and Maritime, Mrs. Nancy W. Karigithu, CBS expressed gratitude for the opportunity to deepen Kenya’s partnership with the World Maritime University, an endeavor aimed at ensuring blue-growth in the development of Kenya’s maritime sector. She stated “The World Maritime University has made a significant contribution towards the development of Kenya’s maritime sector through capacity building. We are grateful to cement a partnership that aims to provide continuous and structured services towards this endeavor.”
The State Department for Shipping and Maritime is committed to promote Kenya’s maritime and shipping industry and to oversee human resource development, management and research in support of the sector.