The family at the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) last week bid farewell to Belgian ambassador, Frederic Meurice. He was lauded by the CMI family for his contribution to the institute and Jamaica's maritime industry.

Ambassador Meurice, who left the island last Wednesday after his four-year tenure as diplomatic representative to Jamaica, fostered a closer relationship between Jamaica and Belgium through the maritime industry, by aiding the development of the CMI through enhanced training.

He did this by facilitating a partnership between CMI and one of Belgium's largest ship-management companies - EXMAR. The company is one of the initial partners of CMI, providing placement for cadet officers' on-board vessels, as well as employment after graduation. The opportunities provided cadets with a wealth of experience and knowledge relating to international shipping and the transporting of essential fuel such as liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas.

In addition, EXMAR has given more than 25 scholarships to CMI students and currently, has approximately 20 officers sailing on-board its globally deployed vessels.

CAPTION: Frederic Meurice (third right), Belgian ambassador to Jamaica, met with Fritz Pinnock (second right), executive director, and members of the CMI management team on his final visit to the Institute. From left are Captain Robert Hibbert, dean of discipline; Osric Forest, director of the School of Advanced Skills; Mark Broomfield, registrar; Ibrahim Ajagunna, director of academics; and Captain Devron Newman, dean of marine and professional studies.