Acknowledging contribution of the Caribbean Maritime University
2023, September 28: Distressing images of refugees braving the worst in search of stability, security and a better way of life make television newscasts increasingly difficult to watch. The circumstances that result in decisions to uproot, sever family ties and disband social structures share a common factor – limited gainful employment.
People gainfully employed and able to provide stability and growth for their families at home do not risk life and limb in a hostile environment to find work in a different culture in a distant country. Ajay Banga, the recently appointed 14th President of the World Bank Group, addressed this reality shortly after he assumed office on June 2, 2023.
“Aspirations of people around the world are universal – people are eager to work and want a better life for their children and grandchildren. They want jobs, they want quality of life.”
It is against the background that plans were being made by the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) for its Annual Gala and Anchor Awards. The 2023 renewal of this event will be held under the banner “Talent in your backyard” on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the Lauderdale Yacht Club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This year’s event will be held under the distinguished patronage of Arya Ali, First Lady of Guyana.
The theme “Talent in your backyard” was chosen to highlight the ready and available human resources available in the Caribbean, explained Geneive Brown Metzger, ACMF President.
The ACMF, in its mission to alleviate poverty and transform lives in the Caribbean through maritime education and community development, acknowledges that the shipping industry globally is suffering crewing shortages.
“Through maritime education and community development we can create opportunities that allow the Caribbean region to be among the group of countries who provide crew for large numbers of ships on the world’s oceans,” the ACMF President said.
Saluting Caribbean Maritime University
This year, the ACMF acknowledges and celebrates the developmental role being played by the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU).
“Top brass from the cargo and cruise sector and their suppliers will celebrate the (CMU), the only internationally approved maritime education and training university in the Western Hemisphere,” Dr. Brown Metzger
The ACMF, a USA non-profit, tax-exempt organization, is the CMU’s largest private donor. It finances full-tuition scholarships and grants for Caribbean nationals from nine CARICOM nations through five academic partners across the Caribbean region.
The Foundation partners with five academic institutions including: the CMU in Jamaica; LJM Maritime Academy, The Bahamas; MatPal Marine Institute and Atlantic Alliance Off-Shore Marine Institute, Guyana; and, the University of Trinidad and Tobago. To date, the ACMF has funded one hundred forty-two full tuition scholarships and grants for students from Jamaica, Guyana, The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Suriname, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Grenada. []
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