LJMU business team visit Saudi Arabia
03 April 2009
LJMU’s positive relationship with Saudi Ports Authority was recently cemented with a visit to Saudi Arabia by colleagues from LJMU’s Business Development Centre and the School of Engineering.
Jon Barret, Commercial and Enterprise Director, Clare Welsh (Operations Manager), Professor Ian Jenkinson, (Director of School of Engineering) and Dr Steve Bonsall (Head of Maritime) made the trip to undertake talks with a view to further developing the strong partnership that has emerged with the Authority over the past 12 months.
The visit follows the signing last year of a major contract between LJMU and the Saudi Ports Authority for the University to deliver to Port employees a suite of training programmes and port simulation, preceded by an intensive English language course - specially designed for maritime professionals.
The contract, now well underway, is proving to be a great success and the progress of the current cohort of students was assessed in March by a delegation of senior personnel from the Authorities, led by its President, Dr Khalid Bubshait, who visited LJMU to meet personnel involved in the contract’s delivery, as well as see some of the resources and facilities at LJMU.
The LJMU delegation making the return trip to Saudi Arabia were hosted by Dr Al’Saadi, Director General of King Fahd Industrial Port, Yanbu. After arriving in Dammam, the team were taken on a tour of King Abdul Aziz Port and met with its Director General, Naeem Al-Naeem. They also had tours of King Fahd Industrial Port, Jubail, hosted by the Director General Eng Abdullah N Al Tuwaijri,and Jubail Commercial Port, hosted by the Director General Captain Fahad A Al-Amer.
They then travelled to the West coast of Saudi Arabia to Jeddah Islamic Seaport, meeting Director General Captain Sahir M Tahlawi. This Port has seen massive expansion over the past 30 years from 10 to 58 operational berths of international status in service today. In many ways, this port reflects the growth in Saudi Ports more generally and illustrates the Authority’s increasing need to source training and development opportunities for its employees.
The visit was a great success and as a result LJMU has committed to continuing to meet the growing demands faced by the Saudi Ports Authority to further develop their employees in the area of Port Management, including Port Safety and Security, Port Logistics, Maritime Law, Port Operations and Port Administration.
Jon Barrett said: “Our visit provided an invaluable opportunity to meet colleagues from across the Authority and see first hand the ports and the industry that LJMU is helping to support. Our hosts organised a highly informative itinerary and, as we have come to expect, were both professional and welcoming. We look forward to following through the business secured on this visit and continuing to build on this mutually beneficial partnership with Saudi Ports Authority.”
L-R: Mr Musaed Al'Drees (Director General Administration), Mr Naeem Al Naemm (Director General of King Abdul Aziz Seaport, Dammam), Dr Hamoud Al’Saadi (Director General of King Fahd Industrial Port - Yanbu, Professor Ian Jenkinson (Director of School of Engineering), Dr Steve Bonsall (Head of Maritime), Clare Welsh (Operations Manager, BDC), Jon Barrett (Director of Commercial and Enterprise Development, BDC).
