Aqaba-Jordan:

From the Aqaba Center for Maritime Education and Training at Al-Balqa Applied University, Hanan Azmi Abu Othman, in her thirties, was able to register her name as the first Jordanian woman to obtain the highest marine certificate “Steman of the Highest Sailor” in the Kingdom.

Al Jazeera Net interviewed Captain Hanan, Dr. Hassan Rafee Shaheen, Dean of Aqaba University College, Director of the Aqaba Center for Maritime Education and Training, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Naval Coalition, Captain Yousef Al Sarhan, to shed light on this achievement.

Captain Hanan's "Marine" Journey

Captain Hanan joined the Jordan Academy of Maritime Studies in 2011, in order to receive basic studies of marine navigation, graduated in 2013, and continued training on board the boats of the Arab Bridge Navigation Company, managed by the Arab Ship Management Company.

She says, "I completed my marine training as a trainee student for a period of 12 months, and then completed my qualifying studies, including the years of work on board the boats, with different itineraries such as: Aqaba - Nuweiba - Spain - Morocco, until I was able to finish my studies, and obtain a certificate of a higher captain. A sailor from Al-Balqa Applied University, Aqaba Center for Maritime Training and Education, 2022.

I don't see myself in any other place or field

Rarely do we see girls go to study this field, but Captain Hanan's goal was clear from the beginning, saying, "I chose this study for my uniqueness, primacy and distinction, that I will be the first Jordanian woman to obtain the rank of captain of the highest seafarer in Jordan, and I liked the specialization and work in this field, and I do not see myself in any other place or field."

Rabban Hanan: My interactions with fellow men made my experience a permanent challenge (Al-Jazeera)

Regarding the support of the family and the husband, Hanan, the mother of two children, says, "At the beginning of my studies and my work in the maritime field, my family was the main supporter for me, and then I got married during my work to a sea captain, and the beautiful thing is that because of the nature of our work, he was one of my supporters to complete my studies and work in this field. ".

Leader and self-taught

Captain Hanan says, "Working in this field is one of the experiences that refine and strengthen the personality, and it has made me a leader and self-taught, and as it is known about the maritime field that it was the preserve of men, and my dealings with fellow men made my experience bear the nature of a permanent challenge that I will be able to continue in my field as a naval officer.

She adds, "I faced many difficulties, challenges and bets that I would not be able to continue, but, thank God, I continued my work to the fullest, with the testimony of my superiors and colleagues, and I deserve this distinction and success."

Theoretical and practical study

Through her studies at the Institutes of Maritime Studies, Hanan obtained all the necessary marine information, was trained theoretically in all ways, and qualified for what she would do during the period of her application to the practical side.

Hanan says, "I thank everyone who contributed to my education theoretically and practically, including professors, supervisors, captains and engineers, and made me stronger in completing my path in the maritime field."

President of Al-Balqa Applied University, Dr. Al-Ajlouni honors Rabban Hanan (Al-Jazeera)

Specialization requires girls with strong personalities

Hanan says, "I am one of the first supporters of women's empowerment in any field, and to note this field and specialization need girls with strong personalities who can prove and highlight themselves as girls who face the difficulties and pressures of work, travel and being away from parents and social life."

"I hope that there will be greater support from the authorities concerned with empowering women and giving them an opportunity to be prominent alongside men, only an equal and fair opportunity without prejudice," she added.

She says, "My plan started since the beginning of my registration to study this specialization in 2011, and I worked on board most boats, and gained experience in the practical field of ship management, as I am familiar with every small and large in most boats, and I still continue to work in this field."

She continues, "I am now lecturing at the Aqaba Center for Maritime Training and Education for students of astronomical navigation, and I am trying to transfer my experiences to my colleagues, so that they will always be distinguished people, and my ambitions will not stop, God willing, and I will always continue."

Al-Ajlouni (right) and Hassan Rafe Shaheen during a tribute to Captain Youssef Al-Sarhan (left) (Al Jazeera)

Shaheen: Captain Hanan's achievement is a pride for Jordan

The President of Al-Balqa Applied University, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Fakhry Al-Ajlouni, sponsored the graduation ceremony of Hanan, the first Jordanian "Steman of the High Seas", in the presence of the family of the Aqaba Center for Maritime Education and Training.

Dr. Hassan Rafee Shaheen, Dean of Aqaba University College and Director of the Aqaba Center for Maritime Education and Training, says, "This achievement is a pride for Jordan, and for the Aqaba Governorate, for graduating a female captain, a female sailor, and we are proud of this achievement."

He added, "The demand of female students to study at the Naval Center is good, and there are two female students studying in the same specialty, and we encourage all girls to study it, and it has job opportunities, even if it is not on board ships, it can be in the shipping companies specialized in this field."

Part of the ceremony honoring Captain Hanan Abu Othman at the Aqaba Center for Maritime Education and Training (Al Jazeera)

Al-Sarhan: Hanan possessed passion and will

For his part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Consultative Maritime Coalition, Captain Yousef Al-Sarhan, said, “In conjunction with the celebration of the International Women’s Day in the Maritime Field, the Aqaba Center for Maritime Education and Training is proud of the graduation of Captain Hanan Abu Othman as the first Jordanian woman with the rank of captain of the high seas, the highest maritime certificate, who possessed Passion, will, and love of excellence, she defied difficulties, stormed a field that was restricted to young people, and excelled in her academic stages, and her character is distinguished by discipline, determination and perseverance.

It shows that in 2013 the Department of Marine Sciences was established at Al-Balqa Applied University at Aqaba University College, and the first cohort graduated in 2017 with a qualitative and distinguished specialization, and a number of Jordanian girls joined the study of maritime transport technology, and they are currently studying "and among the distinguished among our students." .

Al-Sarhan continues that appropriate education and training are the key to the future and the cornerstone of countries’ progress and prosperity, pointing to the interest of King Abdullah II and his visit to Aqaba College in February 2020, at which time he opened the Aqaba Center for Maritime Education and Training, and gave directions to transform it into a distinguished maritime college at the regional level.