[L-R] Andrew Mari, OTDF Program Services Sustainable Manager; John Connor, Head of P&O Maritime Logistics for Australia and PNG; Dominic Thyssen, General Manager PNG P&O; and OTDF CEO Havini Vira with the signed documents.
The Maritime Cadet Scholarship (MCS) program managed by the Ok Tedi Development Foundation’s (OTDFs) Education Division, renewed its partnership with P&O Maritime Logistics to extend its joint program for aspiring cadets.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on April 26th between P&O Maritime Logistics (PNG) Limited, a leading provider of maritime services globally, and OTDF.
Initially launched to alleviate the challenges faced by maritime students and their families in securing appropriate vessels to fulfill their practical training requirements for graduation, the program now creates new avenues for employment with P&O Maritime Logistics upon meeting maritime compliance standards.
Speaking about the signing, John Connor, Head of Australia and PNG at P&O Maritime Logistics, said:
“At P&O Maritime Logistics we want to make a lasting impact on the communities we operate in. The cadet program is therefore very important for us and we are pleased to continue our relationship with OTDF. Together we aim to produce highly skilled seafarers and positively impact their lives by offering employment opportunities. We look forward to the sustained mutual benefits that this partnership will continue to bring.”
Partnership promotes sustainable development
Andrew Mari, OTDF Program Services Sustainable Manager (R) presents the successful candidate with her acceptance letter
The partnership has been instrumental in promoting sustainable development and fostering positive change in the region. Mr. Connor has expressed his gratitude for the collaboration with OTDF via the cadet’s program and other community initiatives in the Western Province. Through this latest MoU, maritime cadets who are recipients of the OTDF Maritime Scholarship are eligible to complete their 24-month sea-time experience on-board P&O Maritime Logistics vessels. The renewed agreement maps out the respective roles and responsibilities of OTDF and P&O Maritime Logistics for the implementation of the training that commenced this month.
Equally pleased about the partnership, Havini Vira, Chief Executive Officer at OTDF, said:
“This partnership is an investment in young people from Western Province to make strong and positive contributions to their families, their community, the province and the country.”
Andrew Mari, Manager Program Services & Sustainable Development at OTDF, said:
“Thank you for the partnership and we look forward to continue this good working relationship.”
Captain Mark Saukeng (seated) from Olsobip in Star Mountains LLG of Western Province, is one of the first maritime cadets to complete training under the Maritime Scholarship program
In 2019, four successful candidates, two deck and two engineering cadets started their sea time training under the first agreement (MoU), and so far, 20 cadets have been trained since the inception of the program in 2013.