SAMTRA’s partnership with Business College of Athens (BCA), one of the world’s leading maritime colleges, has made it easier for African maritime professionals to study towards an internationally-recognised maritime-related qualification.
The first cohort of maritime professional and seafarers from South Africa, Namibia and Angola, including three scholarship students, began their academic studies in February this year.
‘We are thrilled to have partnered with SAMTRA to offer African maritime professionals an opportunity to study, either full or part time, to enhance their maritime careers,’ says Harris Daskalakis of BCA.
‘Equally exciting was being able to offer scholarships to three worthy students, who we know will do us proud as they forge ahead with their careers within this important sector.’
Scholarship for Marine Engineer:
Sivuyile Fisa, from the Eastern Cape, was the first ‘student’ to be awarded a bursary. He began his career as a SAMTRA Engine Cadet in 2008 and is currently working as a Second Engineer onboard the Laura Maersk, the first container ship running on green methanol.
He is studying for his MSc in Marine Engineering Management which he will be doing over two years, while at sea.
Further studies for Naval Officer:
From the landlocked town of Mabopane in Tshwane (Pretoria) to a 15-year naval career at sea, Boikhutso Rekhotso (First Lieutenant, second-in-charge of the MMIPV SAS KING SEKHUKHUNE I) exemplifies the opportunities available within the maritime sector.
‘The maritime industry is vast and dynamic with many opportunities. But, in order to broaden my career and constantly hone my skills is a lifelong learning journey and the reason I continue to study,’ says Rekhosto. He has had many academic achievements over the years and is now studying for his MSc in Ship Management.
Women continue to make waves in the maritime industry:
Faye Kula, with her sights firmly set on an international maritime career, is the last of the three ‘students’ to receive a scholarship to study online for a BSc in Maritime Business degree. Kula, a trained Ship’s Navigator with over a decade of experience in the sector, is extremely passionate about the maritime industry.
Her career has been both ashore and at sea and she has now gone full circle with her back as a mentor and Programme Operations Manager at the STS Lawhill Maritime Centre, where she started her maritime journey when she attended the school for her final three years of high school.
ABOUT THE BCA ONLINE COURSE
Current courses on offer include:
- MSc in Ship Management (1 or 2 years)
- MSc Marine Engineering Management (1 or 2 years)
- MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management (1 or 2 years)
- BSc Maritime Business Top Up (1 or 2 years)
- Maritime Certificates
Why online with BCA?:
- The online courses include inductions, video interactions with professors, modules, 24-hour online support, reviews and case studies.
- There are various modules and credits for each course as well as 24-hour online support, weekly check-ins and access to the alumni network.
- The advantage of studying online is that you can adjust the duration of the programme according to your work duties
- The BCA maritime courses are open to people already in the industry and want to top up their knowledge and gain a degree in order to broaden their career opportunities. However, the courses are also structured in such a way that makes them suitable for professionals, from other industries, who keen to break into the maritime sector.
- The final qualification, issued by the University of West London and BCA, is highly sought after and internationally recognised. It’s an incredible opportunity for South Africans to further showcase their maritime expertise globally.
How to apply?
- T&Cs do apply and a minimum qualification is required. To find out more or to enrol go to bcagime.com or www.samtra.co.za.
- SADC region enquiries by email only bca@samtra.co.za
Internships and work opportunities
Greece has the world’s largest shipping fleet, with over 5 500 vessels under ownership, operated mainly from the 1 000 ship management companies in Athens.
African students could be eligible to find work in Greece, via BCA College.