The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron Akwa Ibom, has on a fourth time received students of the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) Okerenkoko, Delta state, as both institutions collaborate on training.
The Academy had earlier in 2023 received some students from the NMU who came for similar training, as the Academy is fully-equipped with modern maritime training facilities.
Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Commodore Duja Effedua (Rtd.) Speaking on the collaboration, said it was a delight to have students from other maritime institutions come for learning purposes, thereby giving opportunities for more manpower development to service the industry needs.
He gave assurances that being well-equipped, the Academy is capable of developing human resources needs to serve the oil and ga industry as much as it would the maritime.
“We have acquired state-of-the-art Simulators including the Full Mission Bridge Simulator, the Full Mission Engine Room Simulator, Ocular Vision Simulator and the Multifunctional Classroom. This is the latest training simulator composed of eight simulators which can seat up to thirty trainees at a time. The entire maritime industry and the Oil and Gas sector have a lot to gain from this equipment. Also, our Refresher Courses are now more than we used to have and are available on a higher and improved scale,” Effedua said.
He emphasized that the Academy was not competing with other maritime institutions, but open to those who want to take the opportunity of what the Academy has, to build the much-needed human resource.
“We are not in competition with other maritime institutions, for the sake of national development of our maritime sub-sector, we are open to discussions with similar institutions that may wish to take advantage of our equipment to improve on their training,” he added.
Speaking during the occasion also, the coordinator of the NMU SIWES, Dr. John Eru, commended the Rector of the Academy for not onlyt equipping the school with state-of-the-art training facilities, but for also providing a beautiful environment to support pleasurable learning.
He noted that the training collaboration between NMU and MAN has given their students the rare privilege of having a feel of real life on-board experiences during simulation classes at the simulators, jetty, fire bay and swimming pool as well as other multiple positive impacts on their learning experiences.
Dr. Eru also applauded the Rector’s commitment at not reneging on his promise of offering discounted charges on the course fees, which according to him, is what the Academy is charging their students.
He said, “The training collaboration with the Academy is very positive for our students financially, physically and educationally. Firstly, they get to save some money from what the Academy is charging them, then the aspect of regimentation gives them a sense of real discipline which is what is required on board a vessel. Finally, the practical training sessions with simulators, swimming pool, fire bay and jetty, equip them with the practical knowledge, which will be very helpful to them when faced with real life situations on board.”
This would be the fourth batch of NMU Students the Academy would be training, while more batches are being expected. The three weeks long training exposes students to training in different courses that earn them certification in STCW Basic and Advanced Mandatory Courses.
