Dozens of Indigenous women in Guyana receive scholarships to be trained in oil and gas industry

Guyanese First Lady Arya Ali lauds ‘major step’ in ensuring people of Guyana are included in rapidly expanding oil, gas, maritime industries 

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Scores of Indigenous women will have the opportunity to pursue careers in the burgeoning oil and gas sector as First Lady Arya Ali has successfully secured 100 scholarships for them to receiving training at the 100 percent Guyanese-owned Atlantic Alliance (AA) Maritime & Offshore Training School.

In officially announcing the initiative, the Department of Public Information stated, “In what can be described as historic, H.E. First Lady Arya Ali has secured 100 scholarships for Indigenous women in the hinterland to be trained in the maritime and offshore industry through a local maritime training school.”

Speaking to the reasoning that brought the initiative about, Ali said, “We are aware of the many issues that affect the Indigenous people of Guyana, including access to tertiary education and tertiary-level training.

“This is a major step towards creating opportunities for them in the oil and gas sector.” - First Lady Arya Ali

“So, this is a major step towards creating opportunities for them in the oil and gas sector and ensuring that they are part of the success story of our country.”

The agreement signed between Ali and two of the school’s executives — Miranda Thakur-Deen and Asif Hamid —follows the government “moving aggressively to equip Guyanese to benefit from the opportunities being made available in the oil and gas sector”, according to the Department of Public Information.

“The 100 scholarships will be awarded through the Office of the First Lady over a four-year period and will benefit Indigenous women from regions one, two, seven, eight and nine,” it noted.

“It is intended to provide technical training to support Guyana’s rapidly expanding oil and gas sector.”

 

Empowering women through training 

Executive Director Thakur-Deen acknowledged Ali’s continuing efforts to uplift and empower women in Guyana, noting that the school is delighted to partner with the first lady in the maritime and offshore industry training initiative.

Meanwhile, Executive Director Hamid also sought to assure that the women who enroll will emerge fully trained professionals ready to embark on their chosen career paths.

“Our mission is to prepare and provide competent, top-quality and experienced marine professionals,” he noted.

“Our curriculum empowers students to take on leadership roles, encourages rigorous self-discipline, promotes curiosity and provides graduates with skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the global maritime and offshore industry.”

The courses scholarship recipients will take are already accredited by Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), and the school is also seeking further certifications that would expand career possibilities for its students.

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