A memorandum of agreement between the Dutch education, training, research and consultancy organisation STC-Group and Stellenbosch University (SU) will benefit the port, transport and logistics sectors in South Africa.

The agreement was signed by Mr Albert Bos of STC and Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research and Innovation at SU early in February.

The purpose of the agreement is to develop and implement an Academy in Port, Transport and Logistics.

The STC-Group is a worldwide educational and research institution focusing on the shipping, logistics, transport and process industries. The STC-Group furthermore offers business courses and training for professionals. The organisation's headquarters is located in Rotterdam.

The proposed Academy will provide a wide range of educational programmes, technical assistance and research for the port, transport and logistics sectors. The initial approach of the project will be the development of solid educational programmes for the previously mentioned sectors, providing joint certificates.

The long term objective of the cooperation agreement is the strengthening of the educational programmes, technical assistance and research activities provided by SU and STC jointly, as well as to provide South Africa and the region with highly qualified staff at managerial level and to support the commercial South African-Dutch activities in the maritime/transport sector in South Africa and the region.

According to Anneke de Bod, lecturer in Logistics Management at SU, there is a definite opportunity in South Africa to develop maritime and port expertise at middle and top management level.

"Apart from a strong focus on maritime management development through short courses, we hope that this agreement will also contribute to our undergraduate and postgraduate curriculums at SU and create new research opportunities," she added.