EACH ENTERPRISE, no matter how humble, must start somewhere and this is true of the University of Stellenbosch's Unit of Maritime Studies where the first postgraduate degrees were conferred recently.
Stellenbosch is the only institution in South Africa offering this specific study programme which consists of either a B.Phil (introduced this year), M.Phil or PhD in Maritime Studies.
The Unit of Maritime Studies was formed in 1998 as part of the university's Department of Transport Economics and Logistics by Dr Henriette van Niekerk, who admits to a passion for all matters maritime.
She believes the technological and economic development of maritime industries worldwide and the globalisation of deep sea shipping in recent years have raised the intellectual skills needed to exploit South Africa's potential of becoming a maritime nation.
The degree courses have been instituted in order to afford opportunities to managers and prospective managers in the maritime sector to enhance their knowledge and acquire business economic skills for successful maritime careers.
The first graduates, both capped M.Phil, are Philip Mvundura, who has joined P&O Nedlloyd as a trainee, and Annerine Smith, now employed by Merit, a Stellenbosch-based maritime consultancy. Another two students are to graduate in March.
Current enrolment consists of 23 students - nine of them women - and around 70% of the intake is drawn from previously disadvantaged communities. Most are studying by way of sponsorships or scholarships of which a certain number are available.
The courses, offered nightly at the university's Belville Park campus, are overseen by Dr Van Niekerk, assisted by leading maritime economists from here and abroad and senior managers in the maritime industry.
Subjects for the courses - which can be completed in either one or two years - include shipping and port economics, maritime policy, maritime finance, maritime management, maritime commercial law, economics of maritime power and import and export practice.
Vivacious Dr Van Niekerk, who obtained a D.Comm degree for her thesis on the restructuring of Portnet's port changes, told FTW the Maritime Studies courses could ultimately be extended via satellite to 32 centres throughout the country.
The courses are essentially open to all but I am now focusing on satisfying the demand within South Africa, she says.
Aside from lecturing, Dr Van Niekerk acts as consultant to a number of shipping companies and has been particularly involved with Portnet over the past year in the preparation of a long-term cargo forecast.
For further information please call Dr Van Niekerk at (021) 808 2252.
Copyright Now Media (Pty) Ltd
No article may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor
To respond to this article send your email to joyo@nowmedia.co.za
