Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) has received modern training and ICT equipment under the Kenya Blue Economy Skills Training (KBEST) Project, in a move expected to strengthen digital learning and maritime skills development at the institution.
BMA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eric Katana received the equipment as part of an ongoing partnership between Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) and Global Affairs Canada aimed at strengthening Kenya’s maritime education and training sector.
The equipment includes smart LED TVs, projectors, computers, web-conferencing equipment and other ICT accessories.
The new resources are expected to improve how training is delivered at the Academy by supporting digital content, classroom presentations, practical demonstrations, virtual engagement and collaborative learning.
Canada-backed project targets maritime skills
The equipment support is part of the wider KBEST Project, which focuses on strengthening skills development in Kenya’s Blue Economy sector.
Through the partnership, CICan and Global Affairs Canada are supporting institutions such as BMA through curriculum development, institutional capacity building and the provision of modern training resources.
The initiative is aimed at ensuring maritime training keeps pace with the skills and technological demands of the industry.
Speaking after receiving the equipment, Dr. Katana thanked the Canadian partners for their continued support, saying the investment would help the Academy deliver on its mandate.
“We appreciate the support from our partners, CICan and Global Affairs Canada, in ensuring that the Academy is well equipped to fulfil its mandate of developing maritime professionals who will contribute to the exploration and sustainable development of the Blue Economy,” Dr. Katana said.
Boost for Kenya’s Blue Economy ambitions
The latest investment comes as Kenya continues to develop its Blue Economy, with maritime activities providing opportunities in areas including shipping, transport, logistics, fisheries and other marine-related sectors.
For BMA, access to modern training equipment is expected to give learners a more digitally enabled learning environment while strengthening the institution’s ability to provide industry-responsive maritime training.
The equipment will also support virtual interaction and collaboration, allowing learners and trainers to make greater use of digital resources in their training.
The partnership between BMA, CICan and Global Affairs Canada is part of broader efforts to build the skills needed to support Kenya’s sustainable Blue Economy and increase the country’s capacity to produce qualified maritime professionals.
What is the KBEST Project?
The Kenya Blue Economy Skills Training (KBEST) Project is a Canada-supported initiative focused on strengthening workforce skills for Kenya’s Blue Economy.
The programme brings together Kenyan training institutions and Canadian partners to improve curriculum development, institutional capacity and access to modern training resources.
For Bandari Maritime Academy, the latest equipment provides additional tools to enhance training and prepare learners for an increasingly technology-driven maritime industry.
