Novia UAS Contributes to the Development of Maritime Training in Kenya

In May 2024, a team from Novia University of Applied Sciences, including representatives from Aboa Mare, Franklin Nyairo, Anna-Karin Jansson, Magnus Winberg, and Peter Björkroth, conducted a field visit to Mombasa, Kenya. This visit was a main component of the Innovative Maritime Pedagogies and Competence Training for Kenya TVET (IMPACT for Kenya TVET) project, aimed at enhancing maritime education through strategic partnerships between Novia UAS and Kenyan Coast National Polytechnic (KCNP).

The Impact for Kenya TVET project addresses key challenges like instructor development and simulation resources while pursuing broader objectives. It aims to enhance the quality of maritime education in Kenya by equipping instructors with digital tools and innovative teaching methods. Additionally, the project fosters collaborative research between Kenyan and international institutions, driving innovation in the maritime sector. Supported by Novia UAS/Aboa Mare, the partnership with KCNP is designed to establish a sustainable model for maritime education, aligning with Kenya's Vision 2030 and preparing graduates to meet global industry demands.

During the trip, the team engaged with several key maritime institutions in the region, including Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (KCNP), Bandari Maritime Academy, Technical University of Mombasa, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), and other prominent organizations such as the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) and the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC). These engagements were instrumental in understanding the current landscape of maritime education in Kenya, identifying gaps, and exploring collaborative opportunities to improve maritime training and education.

“The team sought to understand and map out the status of the maritime sector in Kenya. It also discussed various challenges facing Kenyan maritime education, including the shortage of qualified instructors, the need for enhanced simulation resources, and the difficulties in securing sea-time placements for students”, says Franklin Nyairo, project leader at Novia UAS

Enhancing Teacher Professional Development

One of the main challenges identified during the visit was the lack of permanently employed, competent maritime instructors in Kenya, especially for deck training. To address this, Aboa Mare looks forward to playing a leading role in developing and delivering professional development training for Kenyan maritime instructors. A highlight of this effort is the upcoming two-week training scheduled for October 2024, where KCNP instructors will visit Aboa Mare’s state-of-the-art facilities in Turku, Finland. Moreover, the visiting instructors will participate in three specialized courses designed to equip them with the necessary skills to deliver high-quality maritime education: Global Resource Management (GRM) Course, IMO 6.09 Training Course for Instructors and IMO 6.10 Train the Simulator Trainer & Assessor Course.

The upcoming training in Finland will provide KCNP instructors with hands-on experience using Aboa Mare's advanced simulators. This exposure will not only enhance their technical skills but also provide them with insights into the best practices for integrating simulators into their teaching, thereby improving the quality of maritime education in Kenya.

Simulator Resources and Training Initiatives

A key aspect of the IMPACT for Kenya TVET project is the enhancement of simulation resources within Kenyan maritime training institutions. Maritime simulators are vital for providing students with practical, hands-on experience in a controlled environment, simulating real-world scenarios that they are likely to encounter at sea. However, the high cost of these simulators has been a significant barrier for many Kenyan institutions.

To address this, IMPACT for Kenya TVET initiative is exploring cloud-based simulation solutions, to broaden the access to these critical training resources and providing a cost-effective and innovative solution allowing multiple Kenyan institutions to access advanced simulation tools without the need for significant individual investments.