The World Maritime University (WMU) and Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA) formalised a major step toward strengthening global maritime education and research by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) along with a Collaborative Activities Agreement. The documents, signed by WMU President Professor Maximo Q. Mejia Jr. and SMA Chancellor Dr. Hashim Abdullah bin Sharhan Al Zaabi, outline long-term cooperation aimed at advancing maritime knowledge, innovation, and capacity-building worldwide.
Partnership to Strengthen Maritime Education and Regional Capacity
President Mejia highlighted that the partnership underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to sustainable maritime development, cutting-edge research, and global collaboration. He noted that working with SMA will deepen WMU’s engagement in the Gulf region an area increasingly influential in global shipping and support the development of future maritime leaders.
Chancellor Al Zaabi emphasized the importance of the MoU for SMA’s strategic goals. By partnering with WMU, SMA aims to enhance its research capabilities, expand academic excellence, and equip graduates to contribute to the UAE’s maritime ambitions. The collaboration will also strengthen SMA’s efforts to prepare professionals who understand both regional industry needs and global maritime standards.
Joint Research Projects to Be Launched in 2025–2026
The MoU establishes a long-term framework for cooperation in education, training, research, and capacity development. To operationalize the collaboration, the accompanying Collaborative Activities Agreement outlines joint academic and research projects beginning in 2025 and 2026. The institutions will work together on three major initiatives:
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The Dhow Project: Studying informal sail-powered maritime transport in the Indian Ocean.
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The Seafarer Supply Project: Focusing on global seafarer supply, training systems, and workforce planning.
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Proactive Maritime Traffic Management Project: Developing risk-based models to enhance maritime traffic safety.
These projects aim to produce practical, research-driven insights that support the future resilience and sustainability of global maritime operations.
The partnership between WMU and SMA marks a significant milestone in international maritime collaboration. By combining academic expertise, regional insights, and a shared vision for innovation, the two institutions are set to deliver impactful research and education initiatives that will strengthen global maritime leadership and contribute to the evolving blue economy.
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Source: WMU
