Ms. Jacklyn Jeremiah receives her acceptance letter presented by OTDF on behalf of the PNG Maritime College
Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) presented four scholarship recipients their acceptance letters under the Maritime Cadetship Program on Friday 16 December 2022.
From the four cadets, 22-year-old Jacklyn Jeremiah from Timoknai village North Awin was selected to be a Deck Cadet. Jacklyn is the first female from her family and village to be offered such an opportunity.
Ms Jeremiah said her family was overwhelmed after receiving news of her acceptance. She, along with three male counterparts, were chosen from over two hundred applicants. She said: “It’s a male-dominated field, but I will try my best to make my family and province proud by one day captaining a ship along the Fly River.”
Engine Cadet Fittler Mulake on behalf of the four cadets thanked OTDF and reiterated that having been out of school for two years was a challenge and given this opportunity: “I will give my best and make my family, my sponsors and Western Province proud when working on ship that services the Fly River”.
According to Program Services Sustainable Manger Mr Andrew Mari, the Maritime Cadet Program is open to any eligible person from Western Province.
He mentioned that these four sponsored cadets had to meet strict criteria and conditions before they were accepted. He continued:” The selection process was independently completed by the PNG Maritime College after an entry test was conducted.”
L-R Shemila Kasi OTDF Scholarship Officer, Jacklyn Jeremiah, Apolonarish Wilson, Fittler Mulake, Sailes Waimona, OTDF PSSD Manager Andrew Mari
The four successful candidates (2 Engine Cadets and 2 Deck Cadets) will have the opportunity to build their careers in the maritime industry, enhance interpersonal skills, establish professional networks and expand on career goals.
He said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, today after signing your offer letters, I encourage you to be ambassadors of your districts in Western Province, your families, and OTDF. Give your best and aim high. ”
They will enroll at the Maritime College in Madang next year (2023). The Program was initiated in 2013 with the vision to increase Ok Tedi Mining Limited’s educational support footprint in Western Province.
After two years in college, they will undergo sea time experience with P&O on OTML vessels as part of the long-term investment to develop Marine Captains and Engineers.
This scholarship program is delivered in partnership with P&O Services (PNG) Ltd.