DMCA and AASTS to cooperate in maritime education

The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Sharjah Branch (AASTS) will cooperate in education, training and research studies in the maritime sector.

 An MoU to this effect was signed by Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Executive Director of Dubai Maritime City Authority, and Dr Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Farag, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport. Officials from DMCA and AASTS were present during the signing ceremony, which took place during the UAE Maritime Week 2021, where both sides are participating.

AASTS  to provide training in  maritime education and t to certify seafarers to operate vessels

 According to the MoU, the two sides will cooperate in different areas including recognising AASTS as an accredited body to provide training in maritime inspections and safety, maritime education and training to certify seafarers to operate vessels as per international conventions and treaties.

 They will make use of the Academy’s capabilities in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) to build a smart and advanced system of sensors that monitor all the indicators to get a comprehensive picture of the state of the marine environment in the UAE. This will support efforts to develop blue economy and environmental sustainability.

We cooperate with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, as a knowledge partner in education

 Sheikh Saeed said: “At Dubai Maritime City Authority, we work in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to improve the competitiveness, attractiveness and capacity of the maritime sector as well as enhance the global leading position of Dubai and the UAE…To achieve these goals, we cooperate with public and private sector partners who share the same vision with us. We cooperate with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, as a knowledge partner in education, training and research and development in the maritime sector, given its extensive expertise in this area. As one of the most prominent maritime academic institutions in the region, it provides Arab economies with the best competencies in maritime scientific and academic research.”

Dr Farag said: “In line with our vision to prepare Emiratis to lead the UAE’s maritime sector, we cooperate with leading maritime organisations such as the Dubai Maritime City Authority. DMCA plays a significant role in enhancing Dubai’s global leadership in the maritime sector by keeping pace with the latest developments in maritime training and research and development in this key sector… We have an extensive expertise in designing educational and training courses based on the needs of our partners, making use of the Academy’s advanced capabilities and specialised staff who graduated many leaders in the maritime sector across the Arab World according to the highest international standards.”

 Dr Farag added: “Recognising the importance of research and development as a starting point towards developing the blue economy, we have strategic partnerships with major academic and research institutions in the European Union.”