32 senior port managers representing 10 countries from the port communities of Africa (Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria) and Asia (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives and the Philippines) successfully completed the Training of Trainers Workshop and took part in the International Coordination Meeting 2016 of the English-speaking network from 24 May to 3 June 2016 in Dublin. Impressed by the crucial role of the programme in the development and modernization of their ports, the prospective ports expressed keen interest to join the network.
After completing Modules 1 to 4 of the Modern Port Management Course delivered by port experts from Irish port partners, the 32 UNCTAD TrainForTrade certified instructors will contribute in future local deliveries of the Port Management Programme in their ports. Mr. Eoghan Murphy TD, Minister of State for Financial Services, eGovernment and Public Procurement, awarded the certificates to the successful graduates in a ceremony that was also attended by Mr. Pat Ward, Head of Corporate Services, Dublin Port Company and Mrs. Immaculate N. Wambua, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Kenya. In his message, Mr. Murphy reiterated Irish Aid's deep commitment to learning and supporting the port management programme's key role in contributing to the overall economic development of a country.
Meanwhile, the coordination meeting saw the focal points of the 4 current member countries (Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria and the Philippines) presenting and assessing the results and impacts of the deliveries of the Port Management Programme in their ports. The prospective ports, on the other hand, had the opportunity to present a general overview of their ports, with an emphasis on the human resources strategy. Discussions on lessons learned and exchange of best practices capped the meeting, as the port players gave their recommendations for future deliveries of the programme.
Among the highlights of the discussions in going forward were: continued increase in the number of female participants to promote gender balance; more participation of private sector in the programme; improved data collection to measure impacts (eg. career growth of past participants); continued exchange of instructors in promoting South-South cooperation; sharing of training delivery between international and local trainers for programme sustainability; dynamic networking among members; and increased pool of graduates, trained tutors and mentors to support new participants.
The event was organized in cooperation with the Irish Government represented by Irish Aid, with the support of port partners from Ireland (Dublin Port Company, Port of Cork Company, Belfast Harbours Commissioners, Shannon Foynes Port Corporation and Drogheda Port Company).
