By John Ndegwa / BMA
Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Eric Katana, led a BMA delegation to Busan, South Korea, where they attended the Global On-Board Training (GOBT) Welcome Ceremony hosted by the President of Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology (KIMFT), Hyunsoo Yoon.
The ceremony was also graced by Kenya’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Prof. Emmy Jerono Kipsoi, underscoring the strong cooperation between Kenya and South Korea in maritime education, training and capacity development.
The GOBT Programme brings together cadets from 14 countries and provides an international platform for practical maritime training, professional development, knowledge exchange and exposure to the global maritime industry.
Kenya is represented in this year’s programme by BMA Cadet Edwin Kiogora, who is currently undertaking his training in South Korea.
His participation reflects BMA’s commitment to providing Kenyan cadets with international exposure and opportunities to develop the competencies required to excel in the global maritime sector.
During the visit, Dr. Katana also led the delegation in witnessing the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Deed of Transfer for MV MY DREAM, a training yacht donated to BMA to strengthen experiential and practical maritime learning.
The signing marks a significant milestone towards the registration of the vessel as a Kenyan vessel and its eventual delivery to BMA. The delegation inspected MV MY DREAM and assessed the progress being made to prepare the vessel for its delivery to Kenya.
The team further visited Korea Maritime University, where they toured the Training Ship HANNARA and received insights into its role in supporting practical maritime education and training.
Accompanying Dr. Katana was BMA Senior Deputy Director, Corporate Services, Evans Oyieyo, and Ag. Deputy Director, Maritime Education and Training, Maj. Rtd. Flanklyne Toniok.
