The cooperation between Seychelles and the Shanghai Open University presents a much-awaited opportunity to deepen cooperation between the Island nation and the institution.
By Blue Africa News
African countries are increasingly embracing partnerships and collaboration with universities around the world to strengthen the Blue Economy, as the demand for professionalism in the space gains traction across the continent.
The latest African country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a foreign university is Seychelles, putting pen to paper with China’s Shanghai Ocean University to strengthen cooperation. The MoU will be in place for five years.
Areas of focus include fisheries science, aquaculture, ocean governance, marine technology and capacity building for industry and sector players for both parties.
Signed on May 19, 2026 by Seychelles Principal Minister and Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy Wallace Cosgrow, and Professor Dr. HU Wei on behalf of the university, the MoU presents a much-awaited opportunity to deepen cooperation between Seychelles and the institution of higher learning.
The MoU, said Cosgrow, is particularly based on scientific and technical fields to support the sustainable development of the fisheries and blue economy sectors in Seychelles.
“This partnership is important because it strengthens collaboration in research, innovation, training and knowledge exchange,” said the minister, sentiments echoed by representatives of Shanghai Ocean University, led by the institution’s Vice President, Professor Dr. Jiang Min.
Min and his team provided an overview of the institution, highlighting its internationally recognised expertise in aquaculture, fisheries, marine biology, oceanography, and other marine-related disciplines, with Dr. HU reaffirming his commitment to fostering academic and technical cooperation with Seychelles.
During the ceremony, the Seychelles Fisheries Authority delivered a presentation on its mandate and ongoing work in fisheries management, monitoring, scientific research, and sustainable fisheries development in Seychelles.
Their working tour in the African archipelago did not end with the signing of the MoU. The delegation visited Seychelles’ aquaculture facilities at Providence, as part of an official mission aimed at strengthening cooperation in marine and fisheries development.
Chinese delegation during their visit to Seychelles’ aquaculture facilities at Providence on May 19, 2026. Photo courtesy: Seychelles Fisheries Authority (SFA).
Members of the delegation were introduced to the different fish species currently being cultivated and gained valuable insight into Seychelles’ growing aquaculture industry, and the ongoing development initiatives in the blue economy.
For starters, Seychelles is an archipelagic nation with its coastline spanning 600km across the 115 Islands.
A report on the socio-economic assessment of the blue economy in Seychelles published in 2021 reveals that the economic dimension of the country’s Blue Economy was $495 million comprising 30.6% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The blue economy contributes 45% of Seychelles formal employment, as per 2018 data.
“Tourism and fisheries are the primary sources of employment providing formal employment for at least 26% and 17% of the population respectively. These sectors are also significant contributors to GDP with tourism contributing directly and indirectly 55% and fisheries constituting 20%, whilst fisheries are responsible for 93% of the nation’s exports,” the report reads, in part.
On the other hand, Shanghai Ocean University, according to information on its website, is a multidisciplinary, applied research university, co-established by the state oceanic administration, the ministry of agriculture and rural affairs, and the Shanghai municipal people’s government.
It has 12 departments with nearly 12,000 full-time undergraduate students, and more than 5,700 full-time graduate students, offering various courses in fisheries development, perhaps explaining why China is ranked global leader in fish production.
The Seychelles-Shanghai Ocean University partnership comes nearly four months after the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Maritime University (WMU), strengthening cooperation in maritime education, training and capacity development.
NIMASA remains a long-standing partner of WMU, with the agency sponsoring 72 officers to pursue education at WMU since 2018.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News