World Maritime University. Salmo. Sweden
Dozens of hopeful South Africa maritime economy students who did not make it in this year’s first group of 22 to study at the World Maritime University in Sweden from September, can rest assured knowing that they have not completely missed out.
SAMSA CEO Tsietsi Mokhele
According to Tsietsi Mokhele, chief executive of South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), an equivalent number of the students who applied for the study opportunity overseas and failed to make it, will still be provided a similar or equivalent study opportunity at South African universities.
Speaking in Port Elizabeth recently, Mokhele said the students who did not the make Sweden group did not fail for lack of demonstrated ability, but rather due to the limited number of positions available. He explained: “The process was simply too complex as it required quite a lot of detail, which some of the applicants were not able to provide on time.”
Mokhele said the ‘qualified’ additional group of about 20 would be provided scholarships to pursue further their high education maritime studies at local universities.
Response overwhelming
Mokhele described the response to the study programme by South African students as overwhelming. The recruitment process began earlier this year with an invitation to the country’s universities first, following to which was a public invitation for the remaining study positions in March.
“The response was beyond our imagination. For the 20 positions (we advertised) we had more than 70 applications and processed 77 and 26 masters level students qualified. But then we only had 20 positions.”
The initiative by national government through the department of Transport, department of Higher Education in collaboration with SAMSA and in conjunction with the Salmo-based World Maritime University, is the first of its kind focused on developing high level skills on maritime studies by South Africans.
South Africa has entered into an agreement with the international university (due for ratification this month) and on the basis of which the first group of 22 students – two doctorate and 20 masters level – will depart for Sweden in September.
Lone Eastern Cape student
Thembani Manyefane
Among those that qualified in the group headed for the World Maritime University is East London’s Thembani Manyefane who was the only candidate from the province to make it.
Manyefane, a former teacher and holder of a Post Graduate Diploma in Maritime Studies from the Mandela Metropolitan University, will pursue a masters level degree at Salmo, over a 14 months period.
For his views on the study journey click here:
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