Greece. The Lloyd's Register Educational Trust provides funds for Greek maritime education

Source: Bymnews

The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust (LRET), an independent charity, supports organisations throughout the world by funding advances in transportation, science, engineering and technology education, training and research for the benefit of all. It is now working with three organisations in Greece and has made substantial commitments to them.

Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS)

The LRET has worked with the UGS since 2004 to provide an annual postgraduate (Masters) scholarship in maritime technology worth Euro 12,600. The scholarship is awarded to a Greek national studying at a recognised university anywhere in the world.

This year’s award was presented in a ceremony held at the Union of Greek Shipowners’ offices in Piraeus last week. David Moorhouse, LRET Chair of Trustees said, “The UGS have shown great leadership in establishing this innovative programme of educational support for our industry. This is an essential component of the sustainability of the Hellenic Maritime leadership and we are proud to support it “.

Nicos Efthymiou, President of the Union responded, “We thank the Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust and its Chairman David Moorhouse for funding this scholarship and for all the support provided to this UGS initiative which aims to promote further education and learning within the Greek shipping community“.

The Hellenic Maritime Environmental Protection Association (Helmepa)

In April 2008, the LRET agreed a three-year funding programme to help Helmepa extend its ‘Helmepa Junior’ programme to incorporate a shipping component with a science/engineering focus aimed at children in Greece up to the age of 13. In addition, the LRET is going to support a new scheme - Helmepa Cadets -aimed at children over 13 to involve them in the marine world - particularly environmental issues - and to promote awareness of careers in the merchant marine.

The programme fits the LRET’s aim to encourage school children to become involved with science, engineering and technology. It is the first time that the LRET has worked with junior educational programmes outside the UK. Lloyd’s Register and, more recently, the LRET has provided funds to Helmepa in the past but without any specific focus. This agreement, marked by a ceremony today, is the result of discussions with Helmepa to support areas of priority in their work programme. The funding is for Euro 158,000 over three years.

National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)

The LRET is now working with NTUA to provide undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships in naval architecture and/or marine engineering over the next six years to assist exceptional students to further their maritime studies before taking up a career in shipping.

The total support will be more than Euro 145,000. This grant was marked by a presentation at the Posidonia exhibition centre, Athens, Greece