The Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Economic Development), Ms Eva Cheng, signed an agreement on 11 July with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to launch the Hong Kong Maritime Scholarship Scheme and presented a cheque for $4 million to PolyU for the funding the scheme.

Speaking at an agreement signing ceremony, Ms Cheng said the scheme was aimed at attracting local and Mainland talent to take up maritime related post-graduate programmes in Hong Kong and subsequently, to join Hong Kong's shipping and maritime industry.

"To maintain and strengthen Hong Kong's status as an international maritime centre, it is important to ensure the continued supply of sufficient professionals to meet the demand of the industry, including home grown talent with seafaring skills and experience to manage our ships and to fill a wide range of jobs in the shore-based maritime related sectors," Ms Cheng said.

"The scheme, supported by the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council, will help build an elite workforce for the Hong Kong maritime industry to sustain its development and enhance its service quality in the overall interest of Hong Kong," she said.

The scheme covers the full-time stream of master-degree programme of "Master of Science Degree in International Shipping and Transport Logistics" (MSc Programme) offered by the PolyU.

Under the scheme, both eligible local and the Mainland university graduates can apply for the scholarship for the MSc Programme. The scholarship will be granted to the successful applicants on the condition that they agree to work full time in Hong Kong's maritime industry for a period of not less than one year after completing the study programme.

The scholarship award will cover the full tuition fee of the MSc Programme and a living allowance. Initially up to 10 scholarships will be awarded, and the number of scholarships may be increased if necessary.

PolyU, being the only institution in Hong Kong offering post-graduate courses relevant to the scheme, will be the scheme's administrator. A steering committee, chaired by Maritime Industry Council member and Legislative Councillor Ms Miriam Lau, and MIC member, and composed of representatives of the industry, PolyU and the Government, has been set up to work out the implementation details, select the scholarship awardees and oversee the implementation of the scheme.

"We aim to have the first batch of the scholarship awarded in the academic year 2007-2008," Ms Cheng said.

"Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank the maritime industry and the steering committee for their support to the Scheme. As the success of the Scheme is dependent on employment opportunities for students so that they can gain real working experience, I urge the industry to further support the scheme by offering suitable jobs for the students so that they can become the future leaders of Hong Kong's maritime industry."

Representing PolyU at today's agreement signing ceremony was its Vice-President (Academic Development), Prof Suleyman Demokan. Ms Miriam Lau and other Maritime Industry Council members were also present at the ceremony.