8.3.2023
In the framework of the SAGOV Plus project, Cooperation and Development Institute organized the Conference on “On enhancing Centre of Excellence and Maritime Affairs (CEMA) regional footprint as maritime services provider” on 6th of March 2023 at Durrës Port Authority.
The event focused on reinvigorating and reinforcing CEMA regional component in the South Adriatic Area as well as in what has been done so far through CEMA, lessons learned, plans and best practices from the South Adriatic Area.
The keynote speech was delivered by the Director of the Transport Community Permanent Secretariat, a key stakeholder in supporting the establishment of CEMA. Mr Zakonjšek mentioned that major investments are underdoing in the transport sector in the WB, including the maritime subsector, and this investment should go in parallel with strengthening administrative capacities per this sector. Furthermore, he emphasised that this is what CEMA is currently doing and congratulated the input of all actor part of this ecosystem (Durres Port Authority, Cooperation and Development Institute, University Aleksander Moisiu).
The first panel on “Encouraging blue careers with the quadruple innovative model” where the liaison between the government, academia, civil society and private sector was discussed. Mr Endrit Pollo, Director of CEMA informed the participants about CEMA’s main highlights in 2022 and its objectives for 2023. Also, during this panel, the link between the business and academia was elaborated by Mr Artis Pugacs, General Manager at Mariner Adriatic, Hili Company, where it was emphasised that in order to address their needs the business should directly communicate with the academia.
Mrs Malvina Jani and Mrs Erjona Toslluku, respectively from the port of Saranda and Vlora addressed their need to further strengthen administrative capacities in the maritime sector, including in tourism.
The second panel, “Regional cooperation in the South Adriatic Area for better human resources” focussed on the ways of increasing regional cooperation in the maritime sector in terms of human capital. During these discussions, Mrs Zorica Durovic, representative of the University of Kotor mentioned that in their faculty they offer not only academic degrees but also specified courses. Furthermore, she mentioned that they have collaborated within the region in different EU Programmes and they are looking forward to collaborating with Albania and Italy in this direction. In order to strengthen their regional footprint, they have already introduced PhD programmes in English.
Whereas, Mr Ugo Patroni Griffi, President of the Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mare Adriatico Meridionale in Bari, highlighted that they signed memorandums with employment association and trade association in order to promote continuity in the education of maritime experts. He also expressed his willingness to cooperate within South Adriatic Area.
Furthermore, Mr Osman Metalla emphasized that the maritime sector is expanding in Albania, with major investments and this is to be considered an opportunity as well as a challenge for students and the Universities that provide maritime education, because the people are the most valuable asset of each organization and human infrastructure is the most important one.
SAGOV Plus is a 6-months project co-funded by the Interreg-IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro and implemented by the Cooperation and Development Institute in partnership with the Ministry of Capital Investments of Montenegro and the Special Structure for Territory Cooperation of Puglia Region.
Consult here:
PowerPoint Presentation: Port of Saranda Cruise Terminal ; FMSK presentation ; Mariner Adriatic Human capital ; CEMA Introduction
