SWAKOPMUND – The Government of Indonesia, through the Indonesia Agency for International Development (Indonesia AID), has extended a development grant to the Namibian Maritime and Fisheries Institute (Namfi).
Namfi is a tertiary educational institution, based in Walvis Bay.
It was established in 1996 by the fisheries ministry to provide maritime and fisheries training in accordance with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Hundreds of Namibians have qualified themselves in various fields at the centre.
A statement issued by the Indonesian embassy shows that the grant of N$5.3 million should be utilised to enhance capacity-building for Namfi instructors in the form of the training of trainers on the IMO’s Model Course 6.09.
“The training of trainers programme for Namfi’s instructors will be conducted by the human resources development of transportation agency, ministry of transportation, on behalf of the Indonesian government,” the statement reads.
Apart from that, Indonesia is currently training 19 Namfi instructors in Jakarta for 16 days. The training is expected to end on 19 November.
During the training, trainees will be equipped with knowledge, based on the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), planning, an effective learning environment, training aids and practical subjects on bridge simulator and the main engine simulator.
To further increase their knowledge and implementation of the training, the participants will also visit the training ship.
The Embassy of Indonesia in Windhoek has played an instrumental role in facilitating the communication, and finding a way forward to finalise the grant agreement.
Ambassador of Indonesia to Namibia Wisnu Edi Pratignyo congratulated the participants, and expressed the wish that they could take advantage of the training and return to Namibia to build and develop Namfi into an excellent marine training centre.
Speaking during the departure of the group, ambassador Wisnu said the latest training will complement the previous capacity-building programme provided by his government.
Namibia participated in six capacity-building programmes between 2011 and 2019, as these were implemented through an agreement and a plan of action under the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Cooperation agreed upon by Indonesia and Namibia in 2018.
“We are currently in the process of renewing the agreement, and we will sign it next year again. The agreement will strengthen the long-standing relations between Indonesia and Namibia. Over more than three decades, Indonesia and Namibia have built a partnership and friendship, founded on shared interests, mutual respect and people-to-people ties.
“Development assistance extended by Indonesia to Namibia reflects Indonesia’s continuous support for Namibia in national development. The training programme itself will enable Namibia to nurture the capability of human resources in the maritime and fisheries industry, ensuring the growth of the industry and the national economy,” he noted.