Sharjah Maritime Academy And World Maritime University Forge Scientific Cooperation For Maritime Advancement

The Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA) and the World Maritime University (WMU) have formalised a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Collaborative Activities Agreement. These agreements, signed by Professor Maximo Q. Mejia Jr., President of WMU, and Dr. Hashim Abdullah bin Sharhan Al Zaabi, Chancellor of SMA, aim to enhance maritime research and academic programmes.

President Mejia expressed that this collaboration underscores both institutions' dedication to sustainable maritime development through innovative research and international cooperation. He stated, "Working closely with Sharjah Maritime Academy will provide an opportunity to deepen our academic impact and support the professional development of maritime leaders in the Gulf region and strengthen our engagement with a region that is increasingly shaping the future of global shipping."

Chancellor Alzaabi highlighted the significance of this MoU as a strategic milestone for SMA. It enables the academy to build global partnerships that enhance its research and education capabilities. He remarked, "This Memorandum of Understanding marks a strategic milestone for SMA — enabling us to forge global partnerships that strengthen our research and education capacity, preparing our graduates not only to support the UAE’s maritime ambitions, but to lead the transformation of the blue economy with innovation and purpose."

The MoU sets up a framework for enduring collaboration in areas such as maritime research, education, training, and capacity building. The accompanying Collaborative Activities Agreement details a joint programme of academic and research initiatives planned for 2025 and 2026.

Under this agreement, SMA and WMU will collaborate on three joint research projects. These include The Dhow Project focusing on informal sail-powered maritime transport in the Indian Ocean; The Seafarer Supply Project addressing global seafarer supply, training, and workforce planning; and Proactive Maritime Traffic Management Project aimed at enhancing maritime traffic safety through proactive risk-based models.

This strategic cooperation reinforces WMU's and SMA's shared mission to advance maritime knowledge, foster innovation, and support the global maritime sector through research-led education. The partnership aims to develop high-impact academic programmes, joint research initiatives, and international teaching exchanges.

The collaboration between these two institutions is poised to prepare graduates who are well-versed in UAE industry realities while being equipped with global competence. This initiative is expected to lay the groundwork for developing maritime professionals who can lead in transforming the blue economy with innovation.

With inputs from WAM