Capacity Building: MOWCA Secures Indonesian Government Scholarships for Maritime Professionals
The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has secured 48 Indonesian government-sponsored training opportunities for maritime instructors, administration officers and seafarers from its member states under three capacity-building programmes scheduled for November 2026.
The programmes, to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, are designed to strengthen maritime education, improve professional competence and enhance the training, assessment and certification of seafarers across West and Central Africa.
The opportunities were announced in a circular dated September 30, 2026, signed by MOWCA Secretary-General, Dr Paul Adalikwu, and addressed to ministers responsible for maritime transport in the organisation’s member states.
Adalikwu explained that the scholarships were being offered by the Indonesian Government under MOWCA’s cooperation with international partners.
The three programmes cover seafarers’ mental health, instructor training and the assessment, examination and certification of seafarers, with a combined allocation of 48 slots.
The first programme, Training of Trainers on Seafarers’ Mental Health, has 15 slots and will run from November 7 to 15, including travel days. It targets doctors specialising in seafarers’ health and serving in seafarers’ health centres.
The second, Training of Trainers based on the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Model Course 6.09, has 13 slots and is scheduled for November 14 to 29, including travel days. It is intended to strengthen the teaching capabilities of maritime instructors and improve the quality of maritime education.
The third programme, Training for Assessment, Examination and Certification of Seafarers, based on IMO Model Course 3.12, has 20 slots and will take place from November 7 to 29, including travel days.
It is designed for personnel in maritime administrations and training institutions responsible for seafarer certification, as well as officers involved in onboard assessments. The programme will also incorporate a course on the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
According to the circular, English will be the language of instruction, and applicants must be able to speak, read, write and understand the language.
Participants are also required to possess passports valid for at least six months from their date of arrival in Indonesia.
The circular set October 9, 2026, as the application deadline for the Seafarers’ Mental Health and IMO Model Course 6.09 programmes, while registration for the assessment, examination and certification course was scheduled to close on October 17.
With the deadlines approaching, Adalikwu urged the ministers to circulate the information to their respective maritime administrations and agencies to facilitate timely submission of applications to the MOWCA Secretariat.
He also cautioned prospective participants against possessing or consuming drugs in Indonesia, noting the country’s strict laws on drug-related offences. Applicants were further advised to obtain travel insurance in their respective countries.
Separate programme information issued by Indonesia identified the Maritime Institute of Indonesia, known as STIP, as the implementing institution, with support from the Human Resources Development Agency for Transportation under the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation.
The sponsorship arrangements for the two instructor-training programmes cover return economy-class air tickets, visas, travel insurance, allowances, accommodation, meals and other logistical support.
The initiative builds on Indonesia’s support for maritime capacity development among MOWCA member states through technical cooperation and knowledge sharing.
It is expected to strengthen professional skills, improve maritime training standards and deepen cooperation between Indonesia and West and Central African countries in addressing shared maritime challenges.
Through the initiative, MOWCA continues to pursue capacity-building opportunities aimed at developing a skilled maritime workforce and supporting the sustainable growth of the region’s blue economy.
