Table of Contents
Enhancing the economic capabilities
H.E. Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Farag, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport emphasized: “As an organization associated with the Arab League, we are mandated to build partnerships that develop the economic capabilities of all Arab countries. However, our relationship with the UAE is a special one. We have received unlimited support from the UAE’s leadership to empower and develop the maritime sector. This has been evident since the establishment of the Academy’s branch in Sharjah, which is the largest of all our branches and is comparable in size and capabilities to our headquarters in Alexandria. Generous scholarships and state-of-the-art facilities that have been allocated to the Academy in Sharjah make it on a par with some of the best international universities and maritime academies.”
Abdel Ghaffar added: “Our partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, which includes the Ministry’s accreditation of our training and academic programs, will make the Academy the maritime academic arm that serves the UAE’s maritime agenda and contributes to implementing the country’s strategic plans. This will also help in the development of the other branches of the Academy, considering that the UAE is one of the leading global maritime hubs. We will strive continually to improve and develop the best maritime practices and provide advisory and scientific studies for several applications and specializations that will impact the global maritime industry as a whole.”
Enabling a digital era
Prof. Dr. Hossam Shawky, Acting Director of the Academy’s Branch in Sharjah highlighted: “The UAE has made great strides in digitalizing its maritime infrastructure. Its ports are listed among some of the most technologically advance worldwide. Most shipping companies here are equipped with state-of-the-art digital platforms. We can say that the UAE’s digital capabilities are on par with some of the biggest programming and e-solution companies and even outperform them with their practical applications. As the demand for technology-enabled solutions is increasing with the changing times, there is an urgent need to provide the maritime sector with young cybersecurity experts to enhance the protection of digital maritime assets. This will foster the UAE’s leading status, making it a global provider of a vital service whose demand is increasing rapidly.”
Shawky added: “We were keen to include a clause in the agreement concerning the launch of a comprehensive awareness and marketing campaign to attract prospective students in maritime specializations. We aim to create awareness among all members of the society about the importance of the maritime sector, also emphasizing the critical role of Emirati seamen. Their families too are proud to associate themselves with maritime professions. This endeavor will ensure that the younger generations are encouraged to follow in the footsteps of their forefathers, who left behind a rich legacy that extended from East Africa to the farthest islands of the China Sea.”
The awareness campaign will target young people with comprehensive public relations campaigns in coordination with local and international maritime organizations. It will also address the public in several languages to achieve a wider reach.
