My family and I are extremely grateful that I had the generous opportunity and privilege to be a Nippon Fellow at IMO-International Maritime Law Institute, Malta, for the year 2017-2018 and serve the rule of international maritime law. The support of the Nippon Foundation has been critical and highly valuable towards harnessing my academic and professional endeavours in the field of international maritime law. I am indebted to the Nippon Foundation for selecting me for such a professional programme in the niche field of maritime law while I was a fresh law graduate and having the faith in my aspirations and capacity to serve the maritime sector. It is because of this faith that I was able to accomplish the best performance in law of the sea at IMO-IMLI, which built the foundation for me to capably serve India in my present capacity as a Maritime Legal Consultant to the Directorate General of Shipping (Ministry of Shipping, Government of India), which is the maritime administration of India. It is indeed an honour to be associated with the Nippon foundation in such a prestigious capacity not only because the Nippon Foundation is the world's largest capacity builder in the maritime sector but also because it has helped serve various noble causes in my country, that is India, such as eradicating leprosy on such an extensive scale and restoring the faith in humanity. I thank the Nippon Foundation for its encouragement and blessings as I advance in my career towards addressing oceanic challenges both at the national and international level.

I have only started the programme for four weeks and so far I garnered a wealth of knowledge about maritime and international law. I am confident that at the end of this programme I too will be an expert in international law.The knowledge and skillset that I will attain will not only benefit me but it will also be an asset to my country and the Caribbean region at large. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”. The aforesaid quote captures how grateful I am, to be one of the receipt of the 2016 Nippon Foundation Scholarship. The act of kindness has given me the opportunity to pursue my presonal goal of attaining a Master in International Maritime Law at the prestigious institution, The International Maritime Law Institute.

It is with great pleasure that I express my appreciation to the Nippon foundation for my fellowship Award. This opportunity has opened my eyes to the International world of maritime and has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to contribute to both the national and international maritime arena. I chose to apply to IMLI because the Institute was highly recommended by my colleagues that went there. They described the experience at IMIL as rewarding and inspiring. I concur with their assessment and add that although challenging at times the experience of being a part of the IMLI family made it all work while. Although I did not attend IMLI in person due to the pandemic, I never felt that I was at a disadvantage or that my academic quality was diminished. The lecturers always ensured that students had all the materials they needed. They were always responsive to whatsapp and emails and regularly met with students to resolve concerns and issues. This opportunity also allowed me to meet a number of visiting fellows throughout the maritime world, network with my colleagues and make lasting friendships. I am also now in the position to draft maritime legislation and speak more proficiently on maritime-related matters including the importance of ocean governance, environmental conservation and maritime safety and security. Attending IMLI has also taught me the importance of effectively implementing international conventions and adhering to international obligations. I am truly honoured that the Nippon Foundation has placed its confidence in me and had considered me a worthy candidate fit for sponsor. It is my wish to continue to make the Nippon Foundation proud as I to move to new heights in my professional career.

The acquisition of a Master of Laws Degree in International Maritime Law placed me on an ascension path to the apex of the local maritime sector. In this regard, I envision a progressive career within Guyana’s maritime sector as it is my intention to advocate for and contribute to the sector’s compliance with international standards. Successfully climbing the career ladder is important to every professional. Thus, I am firm in the belief that IMLI has provided me with an excellent foundation. Going forward, I intend to optimise the opportunities for learning, and to remain current with the development of the law and advancements in the maritime industry. But for the generosity of the Nippon Foundation, my reality would have remained just a dream. Thus, it is imperative that I acknowledge their support for the nurturing of maritime industry professionals, and human capacity building initiatives. I am a proud beneficiary. Thank you Nippon Foundation!  The IMLI experience has been life-changing.