As Tanzania’s maritime sector continues to thrive in line with efforts to propel the blue economy, the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) is determined to see more highly educated and skilled youth engage in the sector.
The state-owned Corporation considers it prudent for secondary school graduates in Tanzania to opt for maritime transport-related courses to stand a better chance of seizing the growing opportunities available in the economic sector.
This was revealed by Ms Pili Mazowea during her remarks, delivered on behalf of the TASAC Director General, at the 18th Form Four graduation ceremony of Chamazi Secondary School, which also marked the school’s 20th anniversary.
She said the sector offers diverse career opportunities beyond seafaring, including ship engineering, port management, cargo handling and logistics, maritime law, environmental management and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
She congratulated the graduates for successfully completing an important stage of their education, while reminding them that graduation was not the end of their journey, but the beginning of a new phase filled with opportunities, challenges and responsibilities.
She urged them to pursue further education and develop discipline, integrity, hard work, creativity, skills and a strong sense of responsibility, while maintaining a commitment to serving the nation.
“TASAC is mandated to oversee and regulate various activities within the maritime transport sector, including maritime safety and security, regulation of water transport and related services, as well as protection of the marine environment and areas associated with maritime transport activities,” she told the young graduates.
Moreover, she observed that the maritime transport sector does not only require ship captains and other seafarers, but also depends on professionals from a wide range of disciplines.
“These include ship engineers, port and logistics specialists, maritime lawyers, environmental experts, ICT professionals, as well as experts in business, economics and finance,” she said.
Ms Mazowea further encouraged the graduates to recognise the opportunities available in the sector and prepare themselves academically and professionally so that they can effectively contribute to the development of Tanzania’s maritime transport industry and the nation at large.
According to her, equipping young people with the necessary education, technical skills and professional competence would enable them to take advantage of emerging opportunities as the maritime sector continues to expand and contribute to Tanzania’s economic development.