AKELA Joint Venture in Egypt

The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) was born in 1970 to provide a much needed regional centre for Maritime Transport training. The initial funding was agreed by the Arab League countries with long-lasting support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The city of Alexandria was chosen as location for the academy because of its important geographical location, which is in the middle of the whole Arab region, as well as the abundance of the qualified personnel available. The Academy has succeeded to overcome major obstacles such as suspension of funding from the fellow Arab States due to Camp David peace agreement between Egypt and Israel in 1979. In the mid 90’s the number of students had started to decline as a result of the increase in the tuition and maritime training fees, as well as the Arab fleets and ship owners resorting to cheap Asian labour and the self-funding policy of the Academy. The AASTMT started looking for sources of funding through new activities and novel routes to maintain its basic and fundamental mission in maritime education and training so as to encounter the Arab and international changes.

Today AASTMT is a world class university in Maritime Transport and Higher Education in compliance with the international standards of Education, Scientific Research, Innovation and Training. AASTMT is a unique technology university comprised of various studies and programs in a variety of specialization leading to M.Sc., B.Sc., B.Eng., and B.Tech. Degrees, Certificates of Competency, specialized Diplomas and Certificates.

Akela and AASTMT are working together to establish Oil and Gas Institute (OGI) in the Abu Kir Campus in Alexandria. OGI will provide internationally accredited training for personnel already working or looking at starting a career in the oil and gas industry. Akela is assisting AASTMT with training accreditations, trainer qualifications and overall development of the training to match the current and future needs of the local and regional industry.

Our JV aims to help the students and skilled workers to gain competence and fill in the positions of technical expertise and/or management in oil & gas and also other process industries. We have students from Egypt, Arab countries and elsewhere in Africa who will benefit from obtaining specialist skills and competence.