Tim Fenech, Szabolcs Pocza and Patrick Darmanin are the winners of this year’s Grimaldi Award, a prestigious prize presented to the MCAST Maritime Institute cadets who distinguish themselves with outstanding performance and results during their studies.
The award, including a total of €10,000 in cash prizes, is sponsored by Grimaldi Group and its local company Malta Motorways of the Sea Ltd, as part of a long-established collaboration with the MCAST Maritime Institute. Dr Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Education and Employment, Ernest Sullivan, managing director of Malta Motorways of the Sea Ltd, Stephen Cachia, MCAST principal and CEO and Capt. Ghassan Abdullah, the Institute’s director presented the awards to the young officers on 17 June, at the Maritime Institute in Kalkara.
Tim, Szabolcs and Patrick received the award for obtaining the best results during their studies and sea training as part of the three-year Officer in Charge Navigational Watch course, which they successfully completed last year. Students who join this course spend two academic years studying at the Institute and 12 months training as cadets on board different ships, travelling across international sea routes and visiting many ports across the globe.
The MCAST Maritime Institute is renowned as Malta’s most advanced maritime education and training institution, supporting the local maritime industry with the provision of qualified and experienced seafarers. It offers courses that lead to local and international qualifications required by individuals aspiring for a career in this industry, as well as for maritime enthusiasts, including owners and drivers of all kinds of boats and pleasure crafts.
The Institute’s collaboration with Malta Motorways of the Sea Ltd provides the Institute’s cadets with several opportunities to undertake their sea time training on board Grimaldi Group’s vessels. Malta Motorways of the Sea Ltd has also donated a Bridge and Communication simulator, worth €130,000, to be used by the cadets during their studies.
Simulation exercises are a crucial element of the cadets’ training as they offer a safe learning opportunity to become proficient in bridge and communication control situations before moving on to consolidate their experience with actual navigation at sea. Training using these simulators is also an important International Maritime Organisation requirement for the acquisition of international maritime certifications.
Commenting on this occasion, Minister Bartolo explained that the Maritime Institute is among MCAST’s smallest institutes but has a strong potential for further growth and development. “Our country is intrinsically and historically linked to the maritime industry and the number of youths opting for a career in this sector is increasing.
“At the same time, there are many foreign students interested in coming to Malta to obtain the necessary qualifications to pursue maritime careers. The private sector’s support of our educational institutions is very important, especially when it comes to offering our students opportunities for work placements and other real-work experiences.” He also noted that the Shanghai Maritime University, a 20,000-student institution specialised in maritime studies, is interested in establishing new collaborations with the MCAST Maritime Institute.
Mr Sullivan said that during the past seven years Grimaldi Group and Malta Motorways of the Sea Ltd have been guaranteeing maritime links between Malta and mainland Italy and Sicily to the Malta Trade. “We are proud to serve the Maltese economy without any interruption whatsoever while extending a vast range of attractive rates and concessions in support of Malta’s competitiveness. “Furthermore, we are committed to support maritime studies and the development of career students as Deck and Engine officers. Our continued investment towards the MCAST Maritime Institute and the deployment of cadets on sea time is proof of our commitment towards Malta’s educational programme.”
Mr Cachia congratulated the three officers on their exceptional achievements and encouraged all the Institute’s cadets to continue working hard to achieve their potential. “Collaborations between MCAST and local employers present us with an opportunity to keep our courses updated with the latest industry developments so that our graduates are adequately prepared for the employment or entrepreneurial careers they are aiming for.
“At the same time, the industry’s logistical, technological and material support helps us enhance our students’ learning experiences. We encourage more employers to follow in Grimaldi Group’s footsteps by investing in new collaborations with the educational sector.”
The Maritime Institute, along with the other nine MCAST institutes and the MCAST Gozo Centre are participating in the second edition of the MCAST Expo, at the MCAST Main Campus, in Paola, until 29 June. The Expo aims to introduce the public, particularly prospective students, to the MCAST campus experience. It includes a variety of exhibitions, demonstrations and hands-on activities under one roof.
A full programme of activities, including talks about each of the institutes is available on the MCAST website or the MCAST Facebook page www.facebook.com/MCASTmt. Further information about MCAST’s full- and part-time courses beginning in October is available on www.mcast.edu.mt. Prospective students may also seek personal career advice by contacting the College’s career advisors on [email protected] or 2398 7135/6.