Training and Essential Skills to Make the Best of the Blue Economy :: Kenya

Professor Victoria Wambui Ngumi, Vice Chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, talks about Maritime Education and Training and the Blue Economy.

What exactly is the blue economy, what are its components and why is it important for universities to adopt courses that equip students?

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According to the World Bank's definition, the blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and job creation, and the health of ocean ecosystems. The blue economy includes: fisheries, shipping, renewable energies, tourism, climate change and waste management.

Where did this concept emerge and how was it adapted in Kenya?

The concept of the blue economy was born from the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 2012. Kenya has adopted the concept of blue economy and the economy. ranked as one of the sectors behind the development of Vision 2030's development program. This has been demonstrated, among other things, by the creation of the Kenya Maritime Authority and the Department of Fisheries. The Ministry of Agriculture has created the Implementation Committee of the Blue Economy. We have also witnessed the establishment of the State Department for Maritime and Maritime Affairs. The equipment, dredging and extension of the port of Mombasa are also underway, as is the revitalization of Kenya's national shipping line. The most visible program is probably LAPSSET (Lamu Transport Corridor, South Sudan and Ethiopia), which includes the construction of Lamu's new state-of-the-art port and the organization of the International Conference on the Blue Economy in Nairobi.

Globally, the blue economy is estimated to contribute about US $ 1.5 trillion per year (three percent of global GDP). As the seventh sector in Kenya able to carry out the Vision 2030 program, how can the government equip itself to achieve it?

The Kenyan government should aim to build human capacity. This involves training human resources in all components of the blue economy. Kenya should define the applicable policies that will facilitate the sustainable exploitation of the blue economy. Kenya should put in place the necessary infrastructure. Citizens should also be aware of the opportunities offered by this economy.

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Kenya, over the years, is mainly focused on fishing for the domestic market. What other ways can the blue economy be diversified?

The government should create and equip more training facilities for other aspects of the blue economy. This will equip citizens with the required skills. These include shipbuilding, shipping, tourism, marine renewable energies, offshore gas exploration and exploitation, waste management and marine ecosystems.

How will marine education help take advantage of the blue economy?

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Maritime education and training will certainly help Kenya to access the blue economy by training the specialized and qualified personnel needed to enable the country to fully exploit it in a sustainable manner.

In 2017, JKuat won an international call for proposals to host the Regional Center for Maritime Technology Cooperation for Africa. How difficult was this offer?

Winning the bid to host MTCC-Africa (Center for Maritime Technology Cooperation-Africa) has been very competitive. We defeated South Africa (International Maritime Institute of South Africa and Maritime and Security Authority of South Africa), Namibia (Namibian Port Authority) and Ghana (Regional Maritime University of Ghana). This was the second stage of the bidding process. In the first round, there were several other organizations from other African countries.

JKuat made the decision to be part of the marine education and training sector by launching the BSc Marine Engineering program in 2010 (which was then under the Mechanical Engineering Department). The Department of Marine Engineering and Marine Operations was created in 2015.

How has this bid reinforced the university's desire to become the center of marine education in the country and region?

MTCC-Africa has provided a platform for research and training in areas related to the maritime sector, such as greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry and energy sources. alternatives. MTCC-Africa organizes maritime sector-related training for climate change mitigation capacity building in Africa's maritime transport sector. The research includes the collection of fuel consumption data and reporting on selected vessels in the region, as well as energy audits in the port of Mombasa and other selected ports in Africa. This is then broadcast during conference workshops.

How does the university equip itself to empower women with respect to the course?

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At first, BSc Marine Engineering students were predominantly male. However, the number of students enrolled in the program has gradually seen the proportion of female students increase steadily over the years to reach 50% this year.

What are some of the challenges facing the blue economy in Kenya and how can we reduce them?

In order for the country to fully benefit from the blue economy, a multi-sectoral approach must be adopted, taking into account the higher education institution in charge of maritime affairs, administrations, port authorities, shipping companies, private navigation and the State Department in charge of maritime transport and maritime affairs. Maritime education and training to exploit resources must be strengthened. The national government must also allocate funds for training, among other measures.

Since the launch of the Marine Engineering Course, how many students have enrolled so far and are Kenyans ready to follow it?

So far, 79 students have followed the program. Of these, ten will graduate on November 30 (tomorrow). The current number of students enrolled in B.Sc. in Marine Engineering is 120.

In terms of course, what is the planning of the university? What are the developments in which you want to venture in terms of the blue economy?

The university, through the Department of Marine Engineering and Marine Operations, has developed two new programs for the Bachelor of Science in Marine Science and the Bachelor of Marine Architecture and Engineering of the Oceans. They were made in consultation with stakeholders. They are now in the advanced stage of approval by the University before being launched soon.

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