RTA signs MoU with the Arabian Egyptian Science & Technology Academy

The MoU will serve as a platform to boost mutual cooperation in all marine transport aspects, with particular attention to marine mass transit systems, marine safety & security issues, and marine training & qualification operations.

The MoU was signed by Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, CEO of RTA Marine Agency on behalf of the RTA, and by Dr. Mohammed Fargheli, Director General of the Arabian Egyptian Science & Technology Academy on behalf of the Academy.

Al Mulla commented on the event saying that RTA is honoured to host the Arabian Egyptian Science & Technology Academy, which is an affiliated organization of the Arab League, and sign a 3-year Agreement with the Arabian Egyptian Science & Technology Academy.

This Agreement will pave the way for exchanging expertise & studies, developing infrastructure and upgrading marine transport modes in the emirate of Dubai.

"Out of the desire of both parties, the Arabian Egyptian Science & Technology Academy will undertake programs to educate, train, and qualify operators & drivers as well as students in a host of scientific & technical fields related to marine navigation; a matter which will ultimately assist with planning, designing and operating roads & marine mass transit networks in the emirate of Dubai.

"Through this MoU, Marine Agency is seeking to serve mutual benefits by defining the perimeters of partnership relationships between the RTA & the Academy, promote joint efforts to enhance performance efficiency of all marine activities, and provide sustainable communication to serve the joint interests of both parties. The parties will also cooperate in matters related to training, qualification, technical consultancy, corporate experiments, information, studies and similar matters of common concern.

"This MoU is an ideal platform for providing direct interaction with highly competent experts in a manner that will add many benefits to Marine Agency. We have to avail this opportunity to upgrade marine service level as well as security & safety aspects which are of paramount importance to the Agency, as Marine Agency is seeking to uplift all aspects related to passenger safety & security.

The Agency has always been keen to achieve this aim through all possible means including holding successive courses, where 300 operators recently took part in Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) course.

The Course, which lasted for 60 days starting in March 2008, witnessed training of more than 80 operators and covered marine safety matters from both theoretical & practical perspectives.

"Security & safety matters included Marine Security & Safety Services Project, which was inaugurated in early May 2008 at a cost of six million dirham covering all shores of the emirate of Dubai. It provides multiple & diverse services of marine safety such as tugging & towing, refueling, repairing of emergency faults, battery checkup ... etc. Marine Agency has become one of the foremost entities capable of serving all sea-goers, and at the same time providing educative and training programs.

"The Arabian Egyptian Science & Technology Academy seeks to build an integrated marine system through developing training, qualifying and operating programs as well as all matters related to marine navigation. Since the Academy is specialized in this field, we have got to benefit from its experience to enhance our marine studies legacy.

Through conducting marine studies as well as training & qualifying programs, we will be in a position to keep pace with the massive development witnessed by marine mass transit industry" added Al Mulla.

Dr. Mohammed Fargheli, Director General of the Arabian Egyptian Science & Technology Academy described this MoU as the cornerstone of cooperation and combined efforts of the Arabian Egyptian Science & Technology Academy and the RTA represented by the Marine Agency. It will assist in gaining experience as Dubai city has versatile experience in the field of marine studies.

"This MoU will pave the road for a spirited long-term cooperation in all marine fields and in fact ushers a true beginning of a long lasting cooperation with the RTA. The Academy is one of the deeply rooted marine entities across the world. This is demonstrated in the giant projects undertaken to upgrade marine transport systems and the professional experts of the Academy engaged in the field of ship building and maritime navigation" added Dr. Fargheli.

Commemorative gifts were presented to the Egyptian delegation and a trophy was presented by the CEO of RTA Marine Agency to the Director General of the Arabian Egyptian Science & Technology Academy.

Signing of the MoU was attended from RTA Marine Agency by Sultan Musabbah Al Kutbi, Director of Licensing & Registration Dep't, and Hussain Al Saffar, Director of Operation & Performance Dep't.

From the Egyptian delegation attended Mohammed Al Noor Abdul Radhi, Head of Mechanical & Marine Engineering, and Ayman Ghunaim from the External Relations Dep't.