FG, World Maritime Academy Agree to Upgrade MAN, Oron

President, World Maritime University, Professor Bjorn Kjerfve

Okon Bassey in Uyo
 

The Federal Government and authorities of World Maritime University (WMU), Malmo, Sweden have agreed to collaborate in upgrading the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State to a degree awarding institution.

The President, World Maritime University, Professor Bjorn Kjerfve disclosed this at MAN, Oron shortly after a recent inspection of facilities in the institution.

Kjerfve who was making his first trip to Nigeria and MAN, Oron said he had productive discussion with the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, and the Rector of the Academy, Mr. Joshua Okpo, in transforming the academy into a world class institution.

“WMU is excited about the collaboration both with the Minister of Transport and other agencies of government like MAN, Oron, NIMASA and NPA. We will establish a number of memoranda of understandings (MoUs) with the Federal Government and the Academy. We have been asked by the minister of transport to help evaluate and recommend making the academy even better.
“This is the beginning of a good relationship. I am looking forward to see more instructors and graduates from the academy coming to WMU for short term courses”, he said.

In line with the new collaboration, he hinted that a team of Professors will be coming to the academy to evaluate and make useful recommendations to the Federal Government on how to mover the institution forward.

“This is my first trip to Nigeria; I am quite impressed with the quality of staff in the academy and facilities. What I see is fantastic. We have seven alumni from the WMU who are working here. I know that they are going to be very competent. I am very satisfied with the determination of government to make the academy become world class”, he stressed.

Okpo had earlier conducted Kjerfve around some of the facilities including, the electrical and marine engineering, workshops, simulator complex/ICT centre and lecturer halls among other places.

Okpo said the Academy was excited to receive the President of WMU especially being his first visit to Nigeria despite his tight schedule.
He said the collaboration with the WMU would help not only to upgrade the syllabus of the school but the position of the institution to degree awarding academy.

Okpo expressed optimism that the visit would add value, strengthen and complement efforts to achieve the dream of making the academy a degree awarding institution and evolve to citadel of learning envious by others