Mahathi Infra Uganda ties up with Busitema for shipbuilding, program accreditation, staff mobility, student mentorship, and internship
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Mahathi Infra Uganda has agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding with Busitema University to foster the development of the Maritime Institute. This decision was made during a courtesy visit of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Waako, in the company of the University's Top Management Team, the Director of Maritime Institute, Prof. Waiswa Wilson Mwanja, and Maritime technical staff on Thursday, July 28, 2023.
During the visit, the team engaged in fruitful discussions and reached several agreements. The key areas of collaboration include providing mentorship and internship opportunities for maritime students, particularly in shipbuilding and naval engineering. This will help students gain practical experience and enhance their skills in the maritime industry.
Another aspect of the agreement involves program development and accreditation. Busitema University and Mahathi Infra will work together to design comprehensive and industry-relevant maritime programs to ensure students receive high-quality education.
The partnership also aims to promote student and staff mobility between the two entities. This will enable exchange programs and knowledge sharing, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
To address the current challenges faced by Mahathi Infra regarding access to shipbuilding materials, the agreement will focus on developing short professional courses and offering practical training for the students. By doing so, the company aims to build local expertise in ship engineering and construction.
Moreover, the collaboration will connect Busitema University to a maritime professional association for certification. This step will help students and staff gain recognition for their expertise and skills in the field of maritime engineering.
The Chief Executive of Mahathi Infra emphasized the company's readiness to partner with Busitema University in training to bridge the current human resource challenges in the country. Currently, the company relies heavily on foreign shipbuilding experts, with only a few technicians being locals. This partnership seeks to address this disparity and promote local talent in the maritime industry.
Mahathi Infra Uganda has already made significant strides in shipbuilding, having completed and launched their first ship in July 2022. The ship is operational on Lake Victoria, and they are in the process of constructing a second one. The cargo ship is expected to reduce the costs of fuel transportation and increase the country's capacity to mitigate the fuel crisis.
