The Durban University of Technology (DUT) and the Shanghai Maritime University in China have signed a memorandum of understanding where they agreed to have a working relationship that would be beneficial to both parties.

Department of Maritime Studies, head of department, Leon Govender and the dean of Applied Sciences, Suren Singh have visited Shanghai twice to see the facilities at both the Shanghai Maritime University and the Shanghai port.

“We were really impressed with the facilities there, their maritime university is like a city, you need a car just to get around campus. They also have a maritime museum that is bigger than the Moses Mabhida Stadium,” said Singh.

Annually the Shanghai Maritime University hosts the international summer school Africa programme. Designed by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission as part of its Shanghai Summer School projects, the programme is aimed at enhancing mutual understanding between Shanghai and various African cities, and promoting further exchanges between SMU and African universities.

Five students from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) were selected for the 2016 programme. Joshua Dancer, Celine Govender, Lizo Swana, Phakamile Xaki, Dionne Pillay were accompanied by DUT’s acting dean in the faculty of applied sciences Michael Manele. Dancer said, “The trip was a very interesting experience. The Chinese people have a very strong cultural base, which affects everything that they do.” He added that he really enjoyed the study programme, which included language classes as well as courses on the Chinese shipbuilding industry and presentations on the Chinese economy.

DUT paid for their flights and visas and the Shangai Municipality sponsored their stay for the month long stay at the university, including food, excursion, classes and accommodation.

This year, another group of students will be jetting off on the 15 June to spend a month in Shanghai. One of the students is Lulama Zono, a first year student studying shipping and economics who was selected for the programme based on his excellent academic achievements. He is hugely excited and says, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, which for someone from my background, I never dreamed would be possible.” He added that he is keen to learn as much as he can from the whole experience and is very open to learning a new culture as well acquiring new skills and knowledge.” Zono is interested in pursuing a career in the marine insurance environment once he has finished his studies and believes that the programme will assist in broadening his experience of the shipping industry.