Introduction
Advanced Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) Kribi is a skill enhancement center offering different practical training programmes in the fields of port, shipping and logistics with special focus on maritime and port logistics. The aim is to provide hands-on modules and courses that enable the trainees to be effective and productive in the industry wherever they find themselves and also to enable them create and manage their own firms and enterprise. The leadership of AIMS is made up of a certified International Labour Organization Portworker Development Programme Trainer of Trainer (ILO PDP TOT) and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) UK.
The institute offers Vocational Diploma (V.D), Higher National Diploma (HND) and one year Professional Bachelor of Science (BSc) courses to learners, students and business professionals of the ports, shipping and logistics industry through distance learning, online courses, certification courses and on-campus training. The HND and BSc courses are offered in partnership with the Higher Institute for Professional Development and Training (HIPDET) Douala and the Higher Institute for Petroleum and Logistics (HIPAL) Bamenda respectively. The certification courses includes the International Labour Organization Portworker Development Programme (ILO PDP) courses for the Container Terminal (PDP 1) and Dry Bulk Terminal (PDP 2). AIMS has a foundation that contributes in facilitating Cameroon’s international trade and provide some services to international traders and some stakeholders of international trade. Occasionally, different series of workshops are organized in collaboration with local and international partners.
Background Statement
Cameroon’s maritime industry as a whole has for long been dependent on mostly foreign skilled workers. Cameroon’s member State status at the Regional Maritime University in Accra for the Maritime block of the English West and Central African States and at the Regional Academy of Maritime Science and Technology in Abidjan for the Maritime block of the French West and Central African States ensures the training of Cameroonian seafarers and port and shipping managers and administrators to serve the lone Port of Douala at the time.
The Cameroon’s vision 2035 led to the creation of the Kribi Deep Seaport that is already operational and paved the way for the creation of the Limbe Deep Seaport that is yet to go operational. In response to the huge demand for Cameroonians to serve the new port community, the Higher Institute of Transport and Logistics at the University of Bamenda was created and the Cameroon Higher National Diploma was reorganized in 2018 by the Cameroon’s Ministry of Higher Education to create the Ports and Shipping Management specialty. This Cameroon’s effort does not only compliment the supply of Cameroonians by the two Regional Maritime Institutions but most especially provide training in the context of Cameroon. In the 21st century, high competition among the third generation ports has further personalize vocational training especially in the port industry that has led to the creation of vocational training institutes by port authorities. The creation of the African Continental Free Trade Zone has further increase competition in Cameroon’s international trade that further requires more skilled and competent professionals.
AIMS Kribi was created and authorized by the Cameroon Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training as the Vocational Training Institute of Maritime Studies “AIMS” in 2019 to compliment other institutions in the supply of skilled and competent Cameroonian ports, shipping and logistics workers. To attain her mission, AIMS Kribi is partnering with national and international institutions. Our local training partners are the Higher Institute for Professional Development and Training (HIPDET) Douala and the Cameroon Institute Teaching Centre for the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) UK in Douala.
AIMS KRIBI 