Marlow Navigation is supporting a number of new social initiatives in Ukraine, including scholarships for cadets from underprivileged families to help cover their annual tuition fees at Kherson State Maritime Academy (KSMA). Financial subsidies will be provided to 25 cadets proposed by the student council.
Recently, representatives from the company, including General Manager, Captain Alfred von der Hoeh, Training Director, Joern Clodius and Training Manager, Captain Martin Bankov visited and met with these cadets and presented them with certificates to acknowledge their participation in the scholarship programme.
“This is an important initiative, providing a better opportunity for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access and pursue the education and training they deserve,” explained Captain von der Hoeh. “Every young person has talents to be discovered and with the proper guidance and support, this can be encouraged and developed so that they can become qualified and highly proficient maritime professionals,” he added.
The annual official signing of cooperation between KSMA and Marlow Navigation also took place. Marlow has been an industry partner to the Academy for over a decade, recruiting Ukrainian cadets on board crew managed ships as part of a ‘hands-on’ approach to training and developing maritime officers.
KSMA students are selected to join the company after their second year as cadets, continuing their studies in designated Marlow classes and then returning to the company when they have graduated as officers. Marlow further supports the Academy by helping to upgrade and enhance facilities, as well as sharing industry expertise and knowhow. To date, Ukraine is the largest provider of deck and engine officers for the company.
During the same visit, Marlow’s representatives attended the qualification stage of the school competition Maritime All-Round, a social project aimed at familiarising and encouraging interest in local pupils in Kherson about the international maritime and shipping industry, as well as the wider marine world. This year's competition was dedicated to the 185th anniversary of the KSMA and supported by Marlow. 36 teams and a total of 180 students took part in the competition, which included a number of tests of knowledge, skills and drills relating to maritime.
