LJMU strengthens links with the Middle East

26 January 2010

Jon Barrett, Director of Commercial and Enterprise Development and Professor Ian Jenkinson, Director of School of Engineering Technology and Maritime Operations, were recently part of an UK maritime trade mission taking in Jeddah, Dammam and Kuwait.

The objective of the trade mission was to establish how UK industry can help with the major developments planned for the regions seaports which are needed to ensure that the increased demand is met for cargo handling and transport.

LJMU already has a strong relationship with the Saudi Ports Authority, delivering a suite of port simulation and training including Diplomas in Port Operations, local pilotage and a BSC (Hons) Marine Science. LJMU is also developing additional bespoke courses for the Authority such as diplomas in marketing, law, management, logistics and industrial safety.

This has given LJMU valuable experience of working with the region’s key stakeholders and of tailoring and/or developing courses to meet their specific requirements, such as introducing a Maritime English course for delegates prior to undertaking other programmes of study.

The recent trade mission has opened up a range of further maritime opportunities for LJMU:

• The Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) is the first greenfield, world–class container terminal in Jeddah Islamic port (JIP).  It holds the largest and most high-tech container handling cranes in the world and the first of their kind in Saudi Arabia. RSGT has a requirement for short courses relating to safety and maintenance and MSc programmes in Port Management.
• The Royal Saudi Navy, the naval force of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has approximately 15,000 officers and men, including 3000 Marines and has bases in Jeddah, Jubail, Yanbu, Dammam and Ras al Mishab. The Navy has a requirement for accredited courses for approximately 200 apprentices.
• The Kuwait Ports Authority is planning to privatise its training provision and is looking to create a consortium to supply a range of training to its personnel, including PhD in Logistics. 

The trade mission also generated interest in LJMU’s potential to support other industries and areas of activity:

• Detica, owned by BAE Systems, and which was also represented at the trade mission, has expressed an interest in Forsigs, a LJMU spin-out company that has developed unique solutions to assist with security and forensic investigations.
• Prince Mohammed Bin-Fahd University in Kuwait has expressed interest in LJMU’s model for promoting and developing student entrepreneurship. There is potential for the Business Development Centre’s Student Enterprise team to provide consultancy around development of a similar model in this university in Kuwait.

Jon Barrett said: "The Middle East is proving to be a rich stream of opportunity for LJMU. Our successful, on-going contract with the Saudi Ports Authority provides additional credibility with the Maritime industry in this sales territory and we are in a strong position to capitalise on emerging requirements in this field."

He continued: "This trade mission has also initiated discussions around a number of other potentially significant collaborations that play to our strengths – including health, education and student entrepreneurship – and that offer an excellent return on investment. We are confident of securing further contracts over the coming months."

For more information, please contact Jon Barrett on: j.barrett@ljmu.ac.uk or call: 07968 422558.