Seafarers’ Trust announces 100th WMU scholarship award

The ITF Seafarers’ Trust has announced that it is awarding its hundredth scholarship to study at the World Maritime University (WMU) to Rani Unnab Aziz Khan, an education officer at the Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA).

The Seafarers’ Trust is the charity arm of the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) and a longstanding supporter of the work carried out by the WMU, which is based in Malmö, Sweden.

Seafarers’ Trust acting administrator John McLeod commented: “It is always a pleasure to support the excellent work of the WMU. Every student we send there is by definition an ambassador for seafaring, but the award of our hundredth scholarship is something of a landmark event.”

He continued: “Rani Unnab Aziz Khan was an outstanding choice. Her work for the PMA is of the highest order, and a reflection on her own qualities and those of the PMA itself. We are delighted to support this young woman in her endeavours on behalf of her nation and its seafarers.”

Rani Unnab Aziz Khan commented: “Since I was a child I have wanted to represent my country, and now that dream is coming true. For me the most important thing about this award is the chance to represent the Academy, its students and work; to maintain its high standards and lay the way for those women and men who will come after me.”

She continued: “For me this award is above all a recognition of the fine, needful and continuing work of the PMA.”

Two more scholarships will be awarded by the Seafarers’ Trust this year, with all three applicants beginning their study in 2014, following a visit to the ITF headquarters in London. Each award totals around EUR 44,000 (USD58,353), and covers study, travel and living costs for a 12 month postgraduate course leading to a master’s degree. The money awarded to the 100 students from 37 countries since the first Trust scholarships were given in 1987 now totals over USD4,359,703.