In recent weeks Hong Kong has been in dire need of a good news story, and it was the territory’s maritime community that delivered it yesterday (8 June) in the form of Ms Joanna Kwok, Hong Kong’s first marine chief engineer.
The announcement of Ms Kwok’s achievement also nicely coincided with the International Maritime Organizations’ Day of the Seafarer with this year’s theme of “I am on board with gender equality”.
Before an audience at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum largely made up of leaders of organisations with a stake in the training, education or employment of Hong Kong seafarers, Ms Kwok delivered an emotion-filled speech that paid tribute to her employer, Hong Kong-based ship manager, Anglo Eastern Ship Management, to her friends, and most importantly to her parents who supported her journey when she had doubts or was confronted by disparagement by outsiders ignorant of the potential of a sea-going career.
After graduating from St Paul’s Convent School Ms Kwok completed the Higher Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, and subsequently joined Anglo Eastern Ship Management where she has worked on a diverse range of ships before attaining her current position.
Marso Law, the convenor of the Maritime Profession Promotion Federation praised Ms Kwok’s achievement adding: She has achieved professional success in a male-dominated industry. Her successful breaking with tradition not only sends a significantly positive message to the shipping industry in Hong Kong but also consolidates youngsters’ awareness of vocational and professional education and training.”
Mr Law also highlighted the Hong Kong Government’s efforts to encourage the young to consider a maritime career. Due to the sea-going Training Incentive Scheme begun in 2004, more than 550 deck and engineering cadets have participated. Further financial incentives have been in place since the inauguration of the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund in 2015. The fund was augmented with an additional HK$200m in May of this year. The funds are to be utilised by 2024/5.
Ms Carmen Chan was made Hong Kong’s first female master mariner in 2013.
Source:
hongkongmaritimehub
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