Stakeholders in the educational sector have emphasized the need for collaboration between academia and industry to maximize the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative.
The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology of the Republic of the Gambia, Professor Pierre Gomez, says such collaboration will result in the successful implementation of the continent’s foremost trade agreement.
During the 17th congregation of the Regional Maritime University in Accra, where Prof. Gomez was a special guest of honour, the event also marked the university’s 65th-anniversary celebrations.
Prof. Gomez encouraged universities and industries to establish strong development links. He emphasized that academic research should align with the visible and urgent needs of industries.
Additionally, Prof. Gomez stressed the importance of utilizing modern technologies and innovations to boost trade within Africa. He believes that the adoption of new and emerging technologies is crucial to enhancing the competitiveness of African businesses.
Commending the Regional Maritime University on its anniversary, Prof. Gomez expressed “the need to support the university in training skilled individuals who can contribute to the economic growth of African nations and beyond.”
He urged graduates to “explore opportunities in the maritime sector while leveraging available research tools to expand their knowledge and skills.”
At the graduation ceremony, a total of 444 students received diplomas, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in various disciplines, including ports and shipping administration, marine engineering, computer engineering, accounting, and logistics management. Notably, 50 graduates were awarded master’s degrees, 324 obtained bachelor’s degrees, and 70 received diplomas.
Dr. Jethro W. Brooks, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, encouraged the graduates to utilize their acquired knowledge to contribute to the development of the maritime sector and foster economic growth. He expressed the university’s commitment to producing talented graduates capable of excelling in their roles within the maritime industry.
With the discovery of oil and gas in countries along the Gulf of Guinea, coupled with the expansion and modernization of ports and harbors in the region, Dr. Brooks highlighted the increasing job opportunities for graduates in the maritime industry. He also emphasized the university’s focus on research and innovation, with ongoing capacity-building programs to establish a research culture and improve the institution’s global standing in maritime education and training.
Dr. Brooks also called on the government and member states to continue supporting the growth and development of the Regional Maritime University.
