Arab Academy for Science, Technology, & Maritime Transport, Sharjah Campus

The Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) is a regional university operated by the Arab League, established in 1972 with the aim of advancing education in maritime transport, science, and technology across the Arab region.

Its inception was a result of deliberations within the Arab League Transport Committee in March 1970, which recognized the need for a specialized regional institute to provide training and education in maritime fields. The academy was officially founded following an agreement signed in November 1974 at the Arab League premises, with the Arab countries committing to support its development.

The initial establishment was based in Alexandria, Egypt, where it started operating in a temporary location in 1972 as part of a UN-funded project that sought to create a center of excellence for maritime education and training.

Throughout its development, AASTMT expanded its academic programs and facilities, including the establishment of a training ship, "Aida 4," in 1992, courtesy of a donation from the Japanese government, and the acquisition of a modern simulator from the United States in 1994, which elevated its capabilities in maritime training.

The academy's scope grew from a focus solely on maritime transportation to include engineering, business sciences, and technology, reflecting its broadening educational mission. Its programs are accredited and recognized internationally, allowing its certificates to be equivalent to those issued by Egyptian universities, and it has gained recognition from various global organizations.

The university's campuses are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, and it offers a variety of undergraduate, postgraduate, and technical training programs designed to meet the needs of the maritime industry and related sectors across the Arab world and internationally.

Despite challenges such as geopolitical shifts and funding issues, especially after the Arab League's headquarters moved to Tunisia, AASTMT continued to sustain its mission through Egyptian government support and international cooperation.

The academy has established partnerships with global maritime organizations, including the International Maritime Organization and the World Bank, which has tasked it with developing maritime education projects in other regions, such as Bangladesh.

Today, AASTMT remains a prestigious institution committed to excellence in education, research, and maritime service, with campuses in Egypt and in Sharjah, UAE, including its recent expansion into the UAE region through a campus in Khorfakkan, Sharjah. The institution's history of resilience and achievement underscores its pivotal role in shaping maritime and technological education in the Arab and international contexts.