10 women receive scholarships to pursue Maritime careers

The Office of the First Lady has partnered with various stakeholders to provide scholarships aimed at training and educating over 100 women from the hinterland in the maritime sector to support Guyana’s growing oil and gas ecosystem.
Tidewater Inc, in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, has awarded scholarships to 10 female cadets, providing them with specialised training in ship navigation and engineering. This initiative aims to empower women in the maritime industry by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in these fields.

The programme includes training for Officers in Charge of a Navigational Watch and Officers in Charge of an Engineering Watch.
For the Navigational Watch, cadets will learn about ship maneuvering, and key aspects of ship construction and stability.
Meanwhile, for the Engineering training, cadets will receive hands-on instruction on the ship’s engine room, how it functions, its components, and the overall mechanics of ship operations.
Speaking at the scholarship ceremony at State House in Georgetown, First Lady Arya Ali highlighted that this scholarship programme aims to enhance the skillset of Indigenous persons from hinterland regions.

“This investment by Tidewater in our country’s human resources could not have come at a better time, given the rapid expansion of Guyana’s maritime sector. Even as the global economy is still reeling from supply chain disruptions, the maritime sector remains the backbone of international trade, with over 80 per cent of the volume of international trade in goods carried by sea. That percentage is even higher for most developing countries like Guyana,” the First Lady said.
She further noted that the global shipping industry is currently facing acute crewing shortages, particularly among officers, presenting a unique opportunity for Guyana to become a global contributor to maritime personnel.
“That is why we’re here today. Many of the challenges in the maritime sector—such as shortages—can be addressed. My office and by extension the Government of Guyana, supports gender equality and the empowerment of women through gender-specific fellowships and other opportunities,” she said.
She stated that this is why when Tidewater approached her office a few months ago with the offer to provide support, her office immediately envisioned a gender-specific programme that achieves several goals.
“Firstly it provides highly specialised training opportunities to young women in a deliberate attempt to achieve greater gender parity in a male-dominated industry.”
“Secondly, this programme ensures that women from our hinterland regions—particularly our Indigenous women—have access to the same kinds of academic and training opportunities that those of us on the coastland usually have.”
She emphasised that this initiative is part of a broader undertaking by her office to increase training opportunities in the maritime sector for women and individuals from historically underrepresented communities.
In addition, the First Lady noted that safety training in maritime operations has already been provided to scores of students.
“Through a shorter scholarship programme, my office and the Alliance Maritime and Offshore Training Institute have already provided basic safety training and ship security awareness training to 60 young women from Regions One, Seven, and Nine. In the coming weeks, another 40 will be trained, bringing the total to 100.”
Importantly, she stressed the need to create an environment where women are identified and selected for career development opportunities in the maritime industry.
She called on stakeholders to celebrate this important milestone and reconsider how they can build a more inclusive and resilient industry.
“This is not just a scholarship. It is a promise that you belong, that you are capable, and that you will lead. The journey ahead may be vast, but so is your power. Go forward with confidence. You are the tide that’s changing everything. Thank you once again to Tidewater, and congratulations to our girls.”
Director of Tidewater Inc, Quintin Kneen in brief remarks said “to the cadets, we believe in you, we are proud of you, and we will be cheering you on every mile of the way.”
Meanwhile, delivering remarks was also Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill who also oversees maritime infrastructure. He noted that this initiative helps to close critical gaps in access to opportunities, particularly by supporting Indigenous students.
“When you can see women moving from a village to State House with an opportunity to study—where the sky becomes their limit—it is a clear case that Government policies are bridging the divide. We are making society equal—not just because of appearances, but because of where they come from and where they can go. We are bridging the gap in careers, particularly to ensure that underserved areas are impacted.”
Tidewater Inc has been a global leader in the maritime industry since 1956.
This initiative, first declared in 2022, aims to provide life-changing educational opportunities and build human capacity in Guyana—an oil-rich nation poised for continued growth and transformation.