First GOAL cohort of maritime trainees graduate from AAMOTI

Twenty-nine persons who completed maritime and offshore studies under the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) were on Wednesday officially awarded their international certification at the graduation ceremony of the Atlantic Alliance Maritime & Offshore Training Institute (AAMOTI), the only International Maritime Organisation (IMO)-recognised training institution in Guyana.

The three -year programme in specialised training in maritime operations, offshore safety, and industry-related protocols, was delivered by AAMOTI and fully funded by the Government of Guyana through the GOAL scholarship initiative.
Prime Minister (PM), Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips, who delivered the feature address, hailed the accomplishments of the graduates and commended them for their perseverance and dedication, noting that their achievement marks both a personal milestone and a key step in Guyana’s national development strategy.

Recognising the pivotal role AAMOTI has played in cultivating Guyana’s maritime talent, PM Phillips said that with Guyana’s emergence as a gateway to international trade and offshore energy production, the relevance of their training could not be more timely or more vital.
He also emphasised the evolving landscape and the continuous demand for certified, competent and skilled local professionals as Guyana’s oil and gas sector continues to expand. The PM stated that the Government is working intentionally to ensure that Guyanese are at the centre of this growth.
Valedictorian, Bharat Bhopal, in his speech, relayed the initial hesitancy and trepidation at the unknown field he was entering before becoming fully immersed in the training programme to become the cadets they now are.
The graduating class of 2025 participated in a Passing Out Parade, a ceremonial event traditionally held to mark the successful completion of training, particularly in Commonwealth nations. It signifies the transition from trainee to a fully qualified member of the institution. This dignified occasion typically includes a Guard of Honour, a ceremonial march past, and the symbolic passing of the school flag from one batch to the next, representing continuity and legacy.
Special honours were given to the national flag, and the presence of PM, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, added great prestige to the event as he witnessed the ceremony and congratulated the graduating cadets on their achievements, AAMOTI said on their social media page.
The 29 graduates will be placed with international companies for their internships.