Amb. Robert Kdapeh Solicits Maritime Training Programs for Liberian Institutions -Makes Tremendous Headways at World Maritime University

MALMO, SWEDEN: Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Robert M. Kpadeh, while on the two-day working visit to Malmo, Sweden chose to extend his tour to the World Maritime University (WMU) where he held fruitful discussions with WMU President Max Mejei that included among other things the establishment of a partnership between the WMU and Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) that would lead to setting up a department of maritime study at the University of Liberia and the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI) with different programs and/or modules smartly tailored to meet both international and local needs.

According to Ambassador Kpadeh, during his encounter with the WMU President, he magnanimously pleaded for the granting of the Liberian Maritime Sector short-term refresher trainings for senior staff to include those from LiMA, National Port Authority, Coast Guards, Fishery, EPA, and others, in a bid to enhance to efficiency at the higher levels of these institutions.

“Then I used the occasion to thank and appreciate the WMU family for granting Dr. Harry Conway, Liberia’s Alternate Permanent Representative and Chair of the all-important Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), a well-deserved placement as Adjunct Fellow. LiMA certainly embraces this award as it provides a unique opportunity to deepen Liberia and WMU partnership. No doubt, having a Liberian as an adjunct faculty member at the WMU in such a crucial time is a significant feat.

“In the end, I expressed our deepest appreciation to the WMU for its contribution to global maritime education with a network of more than 5000 alumni from 170 countries. Liberia is a pride beneficiary of the training through fellowships with about 60 graduates with master’s degrees in different maritime fields proudly recorded. Liberian WMU graduates have had and continue to hold senior level positions within Liberia’s Maritime sector.

“I discussed with him the possibility of exploring how Liberia can increase its enrollment beyond fellowships considering the significantly historic role WMU plays in capacity building for the global Maritime Sector.  No doubt, as Liberia envisions the need to potentially prioritize its blue economy to effectively yield economic growth and spur job creation, the question of capacity building cannot be overemphasized,” Kpadeh emphasized.

For his part, President Max Mejia wholeheartedly welcomed Liberia’s IMO Permanent Representative Kpadeh to the gorgeous and peaceful city of Malmo and assured him that Liberia has a special place in the solid walls of the WMU.

“He praised the performance of Liberian students for doing great in their respective academic sojourns at WMU over the years and their careers beyond the walls of WMU. He thanked Liberia for its incredible and productive leadership in international shipping as the world largest and acclaimed Ship Registry. He also commended Liberia for its outstanding contribution to the International Maritime Organization and through its Permanent Mission in London, as well as its exemplary leadership in global shipping.

“On the issues of increasing Liberians enrolment at WMU and building a partnership with the University of Liberia and LMTI to setup a Maritime program at these institutions, the esteemed Professor stated that all of those are possible and WMU is willing and ready to assist Liberia in the best way possible, to strengthen its maritime manpower expertise.

Beyond the valuable verbal exchanges, we agreed that an official communique indicating Liberia’s desire for such crucial partnership after which dates will be arranged for detailed discussions to be held among leaders aimed at potentially concretizing and formalizing a solid capacity building partnership agreement between Liberia through LiMA and the WMU.

“At the close of our one-hour meeting, Mr. President graciously presented me with a bag full of fine WMU souvenirs and called me “a Friend of the WMU”.  I received his gift with a heart full of appreciation and humility, and in return, I humbly extended a hand of friendship and assured him that I shall remain a dependable friend of the WMU,” Ambassador Kpadeh said.