Abdallah Abdillahi Miguil, Djibouti’s ambassador to China, Professor Huang Youfang, president of Shanghai Maritime University and He Liehui, chairman of Touchroad Group, signed a collaboration agreement on the education of professionals for the shipping industry.

The joint program aims to cultivate competent shipping professionals for Djibouti. Ambassador Miguil said the project will be a milestone for Djibouti and will be a huge leap forward in its education of shipping professionals.

The program was first initiated by Ismail Omar Guelleh, president of Djibouti, during his visit to China in July 2012. In December 2013, Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, Premier of Djibouti, signed a framework agreement which marked the start of the program.

During the signing ceremony, the three parties signed a detailed memorandum, which marks the official operation of the program.

Jin Yongxing, a professor in SMU, Yu Hongrong, Director of the International Affairs Department of SMU, Shi Chaojian, Dean of the International School of SMU, Hu Qinyou, vice-dean of the Merchant Marine College, Yin Ming, vice-dean of the College of Transport & Communications, and Zeng Xiangming, vice-dean of the Turbine Department of Merchant Marine College, attended the signing ceremony.