By John Ndegwa / BMA
Bandari Maritime Academy, today hosted a delegation from Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian High Commission, led by High Commission of Canada, Deputy Head of Cooperation Pamela Gordon.
During the visit, BMA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eric Katana highlighted key milestones achieved through the Kenya Blue Economy Skills Training (KBEST) project. He noted that the initiative has significantly contributed to the mainstreaming of gender inclusion across the Academy’s programs and operations, ensuring more equitable access to maritime training opportunities.
Dr. Katana further underscored the institution’s progress in advancing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an alternative pathway for skills certification. He explained that RPL is enabling individuals with informal or experiential learning backgrounds to gain formal recognition, thereby enhancing employability within the maritime and blue economy sectors.
Speaking during the visit, Pamela Gordon commended the Academy for its commitment to inclusive training and skills development. She expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration between Canada and Kenya in strengthening technical and vocational education, particularly within the blue economy space.
The delegation was taken on a guided tour of the Academy’s facilities led by Senior Principal Nautical Science Trainer, Maj. (RTD) Frankline Toniok where they observed training programs, infrastructure, and student engagement firsthand.
