PETALING JAYA: The Transport Ministry and the World Maritime University (WMU) will restart the process of its academic cooperation after the Covid-19 pandemic derailed their plans for the past two years, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The Transport Minister said back in 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the university and the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) in the field of maritime education, research and development.
Dr Wee said the MOU had, among other things, planned to hold short courses in port operations and related modules with PKFZ.
However, he said following the pandemic, all the plans were derailed.
"Both parties have now pledged to restart the process and discussions are underway to work around Covid-19 travel restrictions.
"A renewed framework should be formed by next year.
"Malaysia and the WMU are also keen to hold further dialogues for deeper cooperation to enable more Malaysians to study at the prestigious institution for maritime professionals," he said in a statement on Friday (Dec 10), following a virtual meeting with the WMU based in Malm？, Sweden, represented by its president Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry.
Others who attended the meeting were ministry secretary-general Datuk Isham Ishak, Marine Department director-general Datuk Baharin Abdul Hamid and ministry maritime undersecretary Capt Mohamad Halim Ahmed.
Dr Wee said to date, 60 Malaysians have graduated from the WMU, having read in their postgraduate maritime and oceans education.
Of the number, 49 of them took Masters programmes in maritime affairs, while the rest learned via distance learning.
Dr Wee also said Capt Mohamad Halim and Malaysia's maritime attaché to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Mohd Fairoz Rozali were also among the alumni of their renowned postgraduate programmes.
Under the scope of the IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme, the ministry has made a contribution of USD$117,400 (RM495,020) for two full scholarships to a Masters level programme, one of which will be allocated to a Malaysian.
"This is part of Malaysia’s ongoing commitment as a council member under Category C of the IMO assembly," Dr Wee said.