Καλησπέρα σας.

Είμαι δασκάλα στη Β' Δημοτικού. Οι μαθητές μου είναι ενθουσιασμένοι με το πρόγραμμα! Ανυπομονούν να διαβάσουν το γράμμα από τον καπετάνιο μας, να μάθουν πληροφορίες για την δουλειά του και τα μέρη στα οποία έχει βρεθεί. Με αυτόν τον τρόπο, "δουλεύουμε' πάνω στο γραπτό, επικοινωνιακό λόγο, συντάσσοντας το mail μας. Μαθαίνουμε Γεωγραφία αλλά και απολαμβάνουμε τις δυνατότητες των Νέων Τεχνολογιών, αναζητώντας το καράβι μας αλλά και βλέποντας λεπτομέρειες για το μέρος στο οποίο βρίσκεται. Είμαστε μέλη  μιας παγκόσμιας κοινότητας και χαιρόμαστε που  τα σύνορα δεν μας περιορίζουν στο να μιλήσουμε με άλλους ανθρώπους και να αντλήσουμε από αυτούς νέες γνώσεις  και όμορφες  εμπειρίες.

Με εκτίμηση,

Άρτεμις Χονδρονικόλα

δασκάλα Β2 τάξη

2ο Δ Σχ. Μοσχάτου

Η σχέση με το πρόγραμμα ξεκίνησε τυχαία κι ενώ αναζητούσαμε, μαζί με ένα συνάδελφο, τρόπους ώστε οι μαθητές της Γ' τάξης ειδικότητας Πλοιάρχων Ε.Ν. των ΕΠΑΛ, να έρθουν σε άμεση επαφή με ένα εμπορικό πλοίο. Η ανάγκη αυτή προέκυψε δεδομένου ότι ενός τέτοιου είδους επικοινωνία, με τον ιδιαίτερο αυτό επαγγελματικό χώρο και τις αντίστοιχες συνθήκες εργασίας, είναι δύσκολη και σε κάποιες περιπτώσεις εφικτή μόνο με πλοία της ελληνικής ακτοπλοΐας. Ήρθαμε λοιπόν σε επαφή με το φορέα υλοποίησης της δράσης και από τότε, για 4η συνεχόμενη χρονιά, έχουμε την ευχαρίστηση να επικοινωνούμε απευθείας με πλοία ελληνικών συμφερόντων, που ταξιδεύουν σε όλο τον κόσμο. Μέσω των μηνυμάτων που ανταλλάσσονται, οι μαθητές μπορούν να αντλήσουν χρήσιμες πληροφορίες, εξειδικευμένες τις περισσότερες φορές γύρω από συγκεκριμένα θέματα ναυσιπλοΐας και διαχείρισης φορτίων, σχέσεων μεταξύ των μελών του πληρώματος και γενικότερου ενδιαφέροντος σχετικά με τη ζωή και τις επαγγελματικές απαιτήσεις στα πλοία. Επιπλέον, κάποιες περιπτώσεις συμμετέχοντες μπορούν να εξασκηθούν σε ναυτικούς χάρτες (εάν αυτοί είναι διαθέσιμοι), πραγματοποιώντας ασκήσεις σχεδίασης και υποτύπωσης ενός ταξιδιού. Αυτό το τελευταίο σημείο είναι ιδιαίτερα χρήσιμο για τους μαθητές της ειδικότητας Πλοιάρχων, μιας και προσομοιώνει σε κάποιο βαθμό και τηρουμένων των αναλογιών, την τάξη με τη γέφυρά ενός εμπορικού πλοίου. Συνοψίζοντας λοιπόν, με χαρά συμμετέχουμε στο συγκεκριμένο πρόγραμμα και προσδοκούμε αυτό να διατηρηθεί και εμπλουτιστεί στο μέλλον, ειδικά σε ό,τι σχετίζεται με τους μαθητές του τομέα Ναυτιλιακών Επαγγελμάτων των ΕΠΑΛ. Με εκτίμηση, Μπάμπης Χριστοφορίδης Εκπαιδευτικός ΠΕ90 - Ναυτικών Μαθημάτων 3ο ΕΠΑΛ ΣΙΒΙΤΑΝΙΔΕΙΟΥ ΣΧΟΛΗΣ

This year, our classroom 'set sail' across the globe alongside M/T Athina. For my students specializing as Deck Officers, Captain Benetis became more than a distant correspondent; he served as a mentor who brought the reality of life at sea into our lessons. The "Adopt a ship" program bridges the gap between textbook and the bridge of a ship, making maritime education come alive. A heartfelt thank you to the whole team of Project Connect. Kind regards,

Konstantinou Vasiliki

Maritime Subjects Teacher

1st Vocational High School of Alimos - Eupalinio

Adopt a ship has been a transformative addition to my classroom, offering students a tangible, real-world connection to global geography and trade. They absolutely love corresponding with our captain, tracking the vessel's journey, and learning about maritime careers. It breathes life into social studies and science, making abstract concepts concrete. Personally, it streamlines my teaching with engaging, ready-to-use content that boosts students' engagement and curiosity. This program isn't just about learning, it' about inspiring the next generation through a unique, interactive, and invaluable experience.

Kyriakos Bachtalias

Plato Academy

Ανακάλυψα το πρόγραμμα πριν 2 χρόνια, όταν έψαχνα κάτι δημιουργικό και πρωτότυπο με το οποίο να ασχοληθούν οι μαθητές μου στο Εργαστήριο Δεξιοτήτων. Στην πορεία του προγράμματος ανακάλυψα ότι θα μπορούσα να το έχω εντάξει και στο κύριο μάθημά μου, τα Αγγλικά, αφού η επικοινωνία με τον Καπετάνιο γίνεται στα Αγγλικά. Ανακάλυψα ότι η Υιοθεσία Πλοίου αποτελεί μία μοναδική εκπαιδευτική εμπειρία για τους μαθητές του Δημοτικού, καθώς μετατρέπει τη μάθηση σε ένα ζωντανό ταξίδι γνώσης και ανακάλυψης. Μέσα από την επικοινωνία με ένα πραγματικό πλοίο και το πλήρωμά του, τα παιδιά δεν μαθαίνουν απλώς πληροφορίες αλλά βιώνουν τη γνώση. Για τους μαθητές μου, το πρόγραμμα προσφέρει πολλαπλά οφέλη. Ενισχύει την γεωγραφική τους αντίληψη, καθώς παρακολουθούν τη διαδρομή του πλοίου στον χάρτη και γνωρίζουν χώρες, λιμάνια και σημαντικές πόλεις. Καλλιεργεί τις γλωσσικές τους δεξιότητες μέσα από την ανταλλαγή της ηλεκτρονικής αλληλογραφίας και εμπλουτίζει τις γνώσεις τους γύρω από τη ναυτιλία, το περιβάλλον και τη θαλάσσια ζωή. Παράλληλα, καλλιεργεί την ομαδικότητα, τη συνεργασία και την υπευθυνότητα, καθώς η τάξη συνεργάζεται για να γράψει το μήνυμα και πέρυσι με όλες τις πληροφορίες από το πρόγραμμα δημιουργήσαμε ένα δίγλωσσο ψηφιακό βιβλίο. Τα θετικά στοιχεία του προγράμματος είναι πολλά: η βιωματική μάθηση, η σύνδεση σχολείου και πραγματικής ζωής, η ενίσχυση της περιέργειας και του ενθουσιασμού των παιδιών. Η προσμονή για ένα νέο μήνυμα από το πλοίο δημιουργεί κίνητρο και αυθεντικό ενδιαφέρον, μετατρέποντας το μάθημα σε εμπειρία. Για εμένα ως εκπαιδευτικό, το πρόγραμμα αποτελεί πηγή έμπνευσης και δημιουργικότητας. Μου δίνει τη δυνατότητα να συνδέσω διαφορετικά γνωστικά αντικείμενα μέσα από διαθεματικές δραστηριότητες και να οργανώσω ουσιαστικά και πρωτότυπα πρότζεκτ. Παράλληλα, μου ανοίγει ένα παράθυρο σε έναν κλάδο που δεν είχα την ευκαιρία να γνωρίσω σε βάθος, τον κόσμο της ναυτιλίας, και με βοηθά να εξελίσσομαι επαγγελματικά μέσα από μια σύγχρονη και εξωστρεφή εκπαιδευτική πρακτική. Προσωπικά, το Adopt a Ship μου προσφέρει τη χαρά του «ταξιδιού» μέσα από την τάξη. Μαζί με τους μαθητές μου ταξιδεύω νοερά σε μακρινές χώρες, γνωρίζω νέους πολιτισμούς και μεταφέρω αυτή τη ζωντανή εμπειρία στο καθημερινό μας μάθημα. Νιώθω ότι το σχολείο ανοίγεται στον κόσμο και ότι η μάθηση αποκτά ουσία, σύνδεση και προοπτική.

Η Τεχνολογία συναντά τη Θάλασσα: Ένα Ταξίδι Αειφορίας και Ισότητας «Υπάρχει κάτι πραγματικά μαγικό στο να βλέπεις νήπια να ανυπομονούν για ένα e-mail από τον Καπετάνιο μας. Μέσω του "Adopt a Ship", οι μαθητές και οι μαθήτριές μας ανακάλυψαν έναν κόσμο γεμάτο λιμάνια, αξίες και περιβαλλοντική ευθύνη.Το πρόγραμμα έδωσε μια νέα πνοή στη διδασκαλία μου, καθώς το "Ωκεανίς" έγινε η αφορμή για να εισάγουμε τη ρομποτική στην τάξη μας. Προγραμματίζοντας τα δικά μας ρομποτάκια να ακολουθήσουν την πορεία του πλοίου πάνω στον χάρτη, τα παιδιά κατανόησαν με τον πιο σύγχρονο τρόπο τις διαδρομές και τις αποστάσεις.Παράλληλα, το πρόγραμμα αποτέλεσε το ιδανικό όχημα για να προσεγγίσουμε τους 17 Στόχους Βιώσιμης Ανάπτυξης (SDGs). Εστιάζοντας στην "Ποιοτική Εκπαίδευση" (Στόχος 4) και τη "Ζωή κάτω από το νερό" (Στόχος 14), μάθαμε να πλοηγούμαστε με σεβασμό στο οικοσύστημα. Ιδιαίτερη έμφαση δώσαμε στην "Ισότητα των Φύλων" (Στόχος 5): ήταν συγκινητικό να βλέπω τα κορίτσια της τάξης μας να ηγούνται στις δράσεις ρομποτικής και να ονειρεύονται με την ίδια θέρμη τη ζωή στη θάλασσα, καταρρίπτοντας κάθε στερεότυπο από αυτή την τρυφερή ηλικία.Για μένα, είναι μια υπενθύμιση ότι η εκπαιδευτική καινοτομία ξεκινά από την αγάπη για τη θάλασσα και ότι, ακόμη και στο Νηπιαγωγείο, μπορούμε να καλλιεργήσουμε τις δεξιότητες του μέλλοντος και την αειφόρο σκέψη με έμπνευση από το μεγαλύτερο λιμάνι της χώρας μας, τον Πειραιά.» Με εκτίμηση Η Προϊσταμένη Χαρίκλεια Θεοδωράκη

This program allows my students to build their empathy and test their project-making skills. They love communicating with the captain and learning about the importance of Greece's maritime industry. It supports my teaching as I can connect ancient Greek maritime culture to the modern day, helping connect standards to real lived experiences. This program offers me resources and helps me build upon my own knowledge as well. We are grateful for participating in this program.

Sincerely, Niki Glynatsis

Plato Academy Tarpon Springs

Middle School Teacher

Civics~World History~Greek Culture

Μέσα από το πρόγραμμα «Adopt a Ship» ένιωσα ότι η μάθηση βγαίνει πραγματικά έξω από τα όρια της τάξης. Μέσα από τη σύνδεσή τους με ένα πραγματικό πλοίο ,οι μαθητές μου ενθουσιάζονται, νιώθουν ότι συμμετέχουν σε κάτι αληθινό και αποκτούν ουσιαστική επαφή με τη ναυτιλία και την προστασία του θαλάσσιου περιβάλλοντος.

Για εμένα, το πρόγραμμα αποτελεί πηγή έμπνευσης και ανανέωσης. Με βοηθά να διδάσκω με περισσότερη δημιουργικότητα, μέσα από μια διαθεματική προσέγγιση, να δίνω νόημα στη γνώση και να βλέπω τα παιδιά να εξελίσσονται όχι μόνο γνωστικά αλλά και ως ενεργοί, υπεύθυνοι πολίτες.

Με εκτίμηση 

Βασιλική Χρυσανθοπούλου

Δ΄τάξη- 53ο Δημοτικό Σχολείο Πειραιά

Αγαπητοί συνεργάτες του προγράμματος «Adopt a Ship»

Σας ευχαριστώ θερμά για την τιμητική σας πρόσκληση και την ευκαιρία να μοιραστώ την εμπειρία μου από το ταξίδι μας αυτά τα χρόνια. Είναι μεγάλη μου χαρά να συμμετέχω σε μια πρωτοβουλία που φέρνει τη θάλασσα και τη γνώση μέσα στις σχολικές μας αίθουσες.Διανύω φέτος την τρίτη συνεχή χρονιά συμμετοχής μου στο πρόγραμμα, μια διαδρομή που ξεκίνησε για δύο έτη στο Δημοτικό Σχολείο Αγίου Γερμανού και συνεχίζεται φέτος στο 6ο Δημοτικό Σχολείο Φλώρινας.

Ως εκπαιδευτικός ειδικής αγωγής, θεωρώ το «Adopt a Ship» έναν πολύτιμο σύμμαχο στη διδασκαλία μου. Μου επιτρέπει να προσεγγίζω γνωστικά αντικείμενα όπως η Γεωγραφία, η Ιστορία και η Γλώσσα με τρόπο βιωματικό και συμπεριληπτικό. Είναι πραγματικά συγκινητικό το πώς οι μαθητές μου αγκάλιασαν το πρόγραμμα από την πρώτη στιγμή· ο ενθουσιασμός τους κάθε φορά που λαμβάνουμε νέα από το πλοίο μας είναι απερίγραπτος και αποτελεί το ισχυρότερο κίνητρο για μάθηση.

Προσωπικά, η μεγαλύτερη επιβράβευση είναι να βλέπω τους μαθητές μου να «ταξιδεύουν» νοερά, να αναπτύσσουν δεξιότητες και να ανοίγουν παράθυρο στον κόσμο πέρα από τα όρια της σχολικής αίθουσας. Σας ευχαριστώ θερμά για την εξαιρετική συνεργασία και την ευκαιρία να προσφέρω στους μαθητές μου αυτή τη μοναδική εμπειρία.

Με εκτίμηση,

Σολομωνίδου Σοφία (Εκπαιδευτικός Ειδικής Αγωγής)

6ο Δημοτικό Σχολείο Φλώρινας

Ανοίγοντας νέους δρόμους μέσα από το «Adopt a Ship»

"Τα τελευταία δύο χρόνια το τμήμα μας συμμετέχει ενεργά στο πρόγραμμα «Adopt a Ship». Η αλήθεια είναι ότι η συμμετοχή μας είναι αποτέλεσμα της προτροπής ενός γονέα ο οποίος υπηρετεί ως Καπετάνιος σε πλοίο του Εμπορικού Ναυτικού μας και το πλαίσιο ήταν άγνωστο σε μαθητές κι εκπαιδευτικούς.

Οφείλω να ομολογήσω ότι κατά έναν απροσδόκητο για εμάς τρόπο η συμμετοχή μας στο πρόγραμμα μας άνοιξε νέους ορίζοντες και μας έφερε σε επαφή με έναν εντελώς διαφορετικό κόσμο, τον κόσμο της Ναυτιλίας!

Τα οφέλη που αποκομίζουμε από το πρόγραμμα τόσο οι μαθητές, όσο κι εγώ ως εκπαιδευτικός, είναι αξιοσημείωτα!

Αρχικά, το προφανές κέρδος είναι ότι γνωρίζουμε ένα εντελώς διαφορετικό και, μέχρι λίγους μήνες πριν, άγνωστο κόσμο : αυτόν της Ναυτιλίας! Μάθαμε για τα καράβια, το έργο που παράγουν, τη σημασία τους για την ευδαιμονία του κόσμου, για τα επαγγέλματα που σχετίζονται με τη θάλασσα.

Πέρα όμως από τις καθαρά «ναυτικές» γνώσεις που αποκομίσαμε, αξιοποιήσαμε όσα μάθαμε από την επικοινωνίας μας με τους καπετάνιους στη σχολική μας καθημερινότητα!

Μελετήσαμε τους χάρτες, τους ωκεανούς και τις θάλασσες στους χάρτες, μιλήσαμε για τον προσανατολισμό, μετρήσαμε αποστάσεις μεταξύ λιμανιών, αξιοποιώντας το μάθημα της Γεωγραφίας.

Εκτελέσαμε δύσκολες μαθηματικές πράξεις για να υπολογίσουμε τις ποσότητες υλικών και καυσίμων που χρειάζονται τα καράβια για να ταξιδέψουν. Με τον τρόπο αυτό το μάθημα των Μαθηματικών έγινε έτσι πιο ενδιαφέρον!

Διαβάσαμε ποιήματα για τη θάλασσα, γράψαμε κείμενα κι εκθέσεις στη Γλώσσα με θέμα τη ζωή στα καράβια, αξιοποιώντας τις πληροφορίες από πήραμε διαβάζοντας τις επιστολές των ναυτικών μας. Αυτά, σε συνδυασμό με τα κείμενα από τα βιβλία της Ιστορίας που μελετήσαμε, μας βοήθησαν να κατανοήσουμε πόσο καίρια είναι η θάλασσα και όσοι σχετίζονται με αυτή με την ίδια την Ελλάδα, την ελευθερία και τη δημοκρατία! Άλλωστε, και η δημοκρατία γεννήθηκε από την αξία που απέκτησαν οι απλοί πολίτες, όταν μία πόλη-κράτος αποφάσισε να αξιοποιήσει τη θάλασσα για να κυριαρχήσει στον τότε γνωστό κόσμο!

Μελετήσαμε και βελτιώσαμε το λεξιλόγιό μας στην Αγγλική Γλώσσα. Κάθε επικοινωνία μας με τον καπετάνιο ήταν και μια πρόκληση να μπορέσουμε να διαμορφώσουμε ένα κείμενο σε μια γλώσσα που δεν είναι η μητρική μας, αποδεικνύεται όμως εξαιρετικά σημαντική!

Ακούσαμε τραγούδια για τα καράβια και τη ζωή των ναυτικών και μελετήσαμε πίνακες ζωγραφικής που αποτυπώνουν τη σκληρή καθημερινότητα των ανθρώπων της θάλασσας. Μάλιστα, ηχογραφήσαμε την απαγγελία ποιήματος και ζωγραφίσαμε τα δικά μας καράβια, τα οποία και στείλαμε στον καπετάνιο μας! Η Μουσική και τα Εικαστικά αποτέλεσαν αναπόσπαστα κομμάτια της συμμετοχής μας στο πρόγραμμα!

Το σημαντικότερο όμως είναι ότι το πρόγραμμα βοήθησε κάποια από τα παιδιά να ονειρευτούν, να οραματιστούν μια καριέρα γεμάτη επιτυχίες! Όχι απαραίτητα ή όχι μόνο στη Ναυτιλία! Μας έδειξε ότι υπάρχουν επιλογές κι ευκαιρίες για όλους μας και πως, αν κάποιος δε φοβάται τη σκληρή δουλειά, μπορεί να απολαύσει τους καρπούς των κόπων του! Το πρόγραμμα έδειξε στα παιδιά έναν δρόμο. Κι όταν ανοίγεις δρόμους, χτίζεις επιτυχία κι ευτυχία.

Με εκτίμηση

Μπλέτσας Χρήστος"

“I am especially happy that we have this communication through the Adopt a Ship program. It is wonderful to see how much you are learning about life at sea, teamwork, responsibility, and friendship. We would also like to congratulate your teachers for the wonderful work they do. We truly admire their effort, dedication, and the beautiful values they pass on to you every day, such as respect, cooperation, kindness, and curiosity. Thanks to them, you are learning not only lessons, but also how to become good people. Keep smiling, keep learning, and keep believing in yourselves — because you are truly the future. With gratitude and friendship, Captain Konstantinos and the crew of MT POLIEGOS :-)"

'Πολλά, πολλά συγχαρητήρια σε όλη την ομάδα για την ιδέα, για την εξαιρετική δουλειά, για το μεράκι και την αφοσίωση που δείχνετε. Νιώθουμε χαρά και τιμή να "ταξιδεύουμε" μαζί σας!!!! Με εκτίμηση Μέλλη Σταυρούλα (4ο Δημ. Σχ. Ν. Ιωνίας Βόλου)'

'I would like to sincerely thank you for the opportunity to join this trip. I had a wonderful time, it was a very valuable experience. I learned new things, such as how to plot positions and courses, and I also got to see in practice things I already knew in theory. It was truly an amazing experience that I will always remember. Best regards, Eleftheria Dame'  

"He ...(Dr. Kalogerakis)... is always so direct, honest, and genuine! I wish students of all ages would listen to him when he speaks about kindness and honor (filotimo). It would do them good—to break free from rigid ideas and learn to be flexible and down-to-earth. Nothing in life is guaranteed. Resiliency and vulnerability will be the values of the future. " Kastalia Samoili, Mom, Athens College

I am delighted to be informed of your program related to shipping and I am particularly excited to be the Captain of the Ship with which we will travel together from one end of the globe to the other.

We are very happy and excited to participate in a pioneering and unprecedented program for us, that of the adoption of a ship! We first want to thank our school and PROJECT CONNECT for this wonderful opportunity. Our school is located on land in the center of Greece and we have no contact with the sea. We see it (and not all) a few days in the summer when we go on vacation. From the moment the school principal suggested that we have contact with a ship, through "adoption",we were left with our mouths open. We found the idea great, talked to our parents and decided to get involved. We admire and are impressed by the sea but we do not know it. Teachers teach us at school or we look at pictures, on TV or computers, we hear so much about it, poems and songs have been written about sailors and the sea. We read texts at school, but we have many questions because we feel that the sea has many, many "secrets". We are curious to discover it as much as we can and we believe you will help us through your travels and experiences.

I was excited from the first moment I read about the program "Adopt a ship" and I did not hesitate for a moment to express interest in my class participating in it. My goal was to help them to get to know the world of shipping. The program fulfilled all my expectations, my students are excited about the program and look forward to continue the journey they started in the shipping world. It really deserves a big applause to PROJECT CONNECT both for the good work they do as well as for the support and help they provide us throughout the program. People with a passion that seems to love what they do. The material sent to us was the starting point for our journey in the world of shipping, giving us many stimuli for exploration. As a teacher I am happy to participate in such programs, as through them experiential learning is ensured! Thank you for the opportunity given to me through the program to enrich my knowledge of the history of Greek shipping and to travel with my students in this beautiful world. During this difficult period that we all go through, "Adopt a ship" managed to be a pleasant break for us in our daily lives. We still have many stations to make until we manage to finally compose the mosaic of shipping! The sequel follows fascinating.

The incredible non-profit organization Project Connect is celebrating a decade of empowering young people to enter the shipping industry — and what an impact it's had! A true pioneer in bridging the gap between education and maritime careers, Project Connect continues to open doors and inspire the next generation of shipping professionals. I'm grateful to have played a small part in this remarkable initiative led by the inspiring Ms. Irene Notias.  Her vision and dedication is a testament to her unwavering commitment. Here’s to the next 10 years of growth, guidance, and greater impact!

The "Adopt a Ship" Program is an excellent initiative and we are very happy as we see how the efforts of years pay off. From our part, the inclusion of the online Museum Greek Shipping Miracle gives us joy, as you made us part of this project.

At the recent Executive Roundtable on Seafarer Welfare hosted by the Mission to Seafarers, we discussed a range of solutions to ensure that we make life at sea better. Part of this was about ensuring that the next generation is coming through. When I presented our findings at the Maritime Trends Conference in Athens, I told the audience about these goals and was so pleased to hear that just such an initiative is already in existence. Irene Notias told me of Project Connect, and I could tell that is an absolute game-changer. Ensuring the next generation knows about maritime careers is key, and so allowing them to gain experience, learn from industry experts, and identify career options and paths is inspired. While the Adopt a Ship angle is a wonderful way to ensure that respect for seafarers remains uppermost in our next generation.

10 years anniversary Event after waves : "Dear Irene, Keep up the impressive work, you are a true inspiration!"      

“I would like to express my gratitude and that of Allied for picking this important social role, an essential role in creating awareness to young children who represent the future of our shipping community.  More importantly, for undertaking this commitment with no personal benefit, be it monetary or for social recognition.  For lack of a suitable English expression, εσύ και η ομάδα σου συντελείτε λειτούργημα, καταθέτετε την ψυχή σας σε έναν κοινωνικό αγώνα ακούραστα με ανιδιοτέλεια για 10^ο χρόνο τώρα, πολύ στοχευμένα και επιτυχημένα.  Κάθε συνεχιζόμενη επιτυχία σας ευχόμαστε”.

“We are grateful to be part of such a supportive experiment and truly appreciate the recognition for this effort. It's encouraging to see our shared initiatives making a meaningful impact.”      

"Project Connect has provided our company with individuals who have the skills and attitude that are necessary to deliver results. Irene Notias and her Connected team take the time to appreciate our company's requirements and identify appropriate applicants. They have been a valuable partner to us, but most importantly, they have demonstrated an excellent understanding of our company's vision and have been able to provide an accurate range of candidates to fit. Thank you for the excellent cooperation !"

"Thank you for the opportunity to participate in yesterday's HR executives breakfast meeting and for the ongoing impactful work of Project Connect!

As a company dedicated to supporting young talent in the shipping industry, we have found the CV Platform invaluable. It provides us with an efficient and comprehensive tool to connect with aspiring professionals and identify candidates whose skills align with our company’s needs. Through the platform, we are able to engage with a diverse pool of candidates, streamlining our hiring process and reinforcing our commitment to supporting the next generation of maritime professionals.

In addition, yesterday’s meeting gave us a deeper understanding of the platform’s broader reach and its potential to further enhance our recruitment efforts while contributing to the sustainability goals within the industry.

We are happy to support this cause and give permission to use our company’s logo in your communication efforts.

Best wishes for a successful autumn, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Project Connect."

"Dear Ms Notias, We would like to thank you for this beautiful presentation (on the HR executives breakfast meeting). You are full of passion for your job and this is the success! We hope to find a candidate from your platform when a position opens up in our company. Best regards,"  

"On behalf of Eastern Mediterranean’s HR team, we believe that this partnership, with Project Connect to working together to achieve our company’s vision, in relation to career management and employee placement will be a big asset to the further development of our company."

"Good morning Mrs. Notias, I wanted to thank you once more for inviting me to HR Breakfast Day.  I would like to say that your presentation was truly informative - you transferred clearly Project’s Connect goals for the future.  Additionally, it was a nice chance to meet with other HR professionals and hear their opinion about HR issues. I hope you have the chance to plan such wonderful events in the future too! My experience with your site is that you offer to HR a very interesting pool of candidates either for recruitment, or for internship positions. What would be great for the future is to be able to sort candidates based on their needs-after reflection (what positions do they want and why?) When I searched for an internship candidate last year I found the one who suited best for the role. Unfortunately, we couldn’t move forward, as she was a college student, and her internship wasn’t mandatory. I believe I will find other CVs this year, who could be a great match for future vacant posts. Best Regards,"

"Finding the right talent can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. However, our recent experience with the CV platform was very positive and assist us with the hiring process. We found several individuals who not only met our criteria but also aligned with our company culture.  After thorough interviews, we successfully hired an outstanding employee who has already made a positive impact. The skills and enthusiasm have exceeded our expectations, and I truly believe we wouldn’t have found her without this platform. Overall, I highly recommend this CV platform to any organization looking to enhance their hiring process. On sponsoring our 10 years anniversary: "We appreciate the opportunity to be part of this meaningful initiative that promotes maritime education, youth employability and we’re glad to support this important milestone."

’Our experience by using Project Connect’s CV platform, was by far very positive! The platform is practical, enabling us to effectively track the right candidates for the right positions. A representative example through using the CV platform is when we tracked Mr. Chaziroglou Christos. Mr. Chaziroglou was hired by GAC Bahrain offices two years ago and now serves as a Commercial Manager. Last but now least, I would like to mention that Mrs. Irene Notias, apart from being a true leader, is a person who understands in depth HR needs and knows exactly how to cover them. The HR team of GAC Greece will continue to support Project Connect’s aspiration and future initiatives!

"Thanks to Project Connect, we successfully hired a talented new team member, Mr Manolis Voudouris, who is already making a significant impact. The platform’s user-friendly interface allowed us to filter applicants based on specific skills, experience, and qualifications, saving us valuable time. We highly recommend this platform to any organization looking to enhance its hiring process."  

Αγαπητή ομάδα του Project Connect ,

Θα ήθελα να σας ευχαριστήσω θερμά για τη στήριξη και την καθοδήγηση που μου προσφέρατε κατά τη διάρκεια της αναζήτησης της πρώτης μου επαγγελματικής ευκαιρίας.

Με χαρά θα ήθελα να σας ενημερώσω ότι, μετά την ολοκλήρωση της πρακτικής μου άσκησης στη ναυτιλιακή εταιρεία GAC SHIPPING όπου τοποθετήθηκα μέσω του Project Connect, μου έγινε πρόταση να συνεχίσω στην ομάδα τους. Είμαι πραγματικά ευγνώμων για αυτή την εξέλιξη.

Πιστεύω ακράδαντα ότι, χάρη στη βοήθεια και το δίκτυο του Project Connect, δίνεται στους νέους η δυνατότητα να ξεκινήσουν την καριέρα τους με αξιοκρατικό τρόπο και να κάνουν τα πρώτα τους βήματα στον χώρο της ναυτιλίας με σιγουριά και υποστήριξη.

Σας ευχαριστώ και πάλι για όλα. Εύχομαι να συνεχίσετε το σπουδαίο έργο σας, βοηθώντας κι άλλους νέους επαγγελματίες να βρουν τη θέση που τους αξίζει.

Με εκτίμηση, 

Νικολέτα Ραυτοπούλου 

"Dear Ms. Irene Notias and the PROJECT CONNECT team, I would like to sincerely thank you for the opportunity to participate in the WORK-SHIP: A Professional Readiness Workshop for Aspiring Young Shipping Industry Professionals. It was an incredible experience that helped me expand my knowledge and capabilities for a future career in shipping. I am a student of Economics at the University of Athens, and shipping is a field that excites me and fills me with passion. My participation in the program has helped me better understand the challenges and opportunities within the industry, and it motivates me to continue preparing for the professional world. I would like to express my gratitude for your support and for providing me with the opportunity to take part in this unique program. I hope to stay connected with PROJECT CONNECT and continue to make use of the opportunities offered through the CONNECT CV-HR PLATFORM. Thank you once again, and I look forward to continuing this wonderful collaboration. Best regards, Mandalou Georgia"

"Dear Ms. Notias, Elena, Sofia, and the entire PROJECT CONNECT team, Thank you very much for the warm message and for the opportunity to participate in the Work-Ship Professional Readiness Workshop. It was an incredibly insightful experience that offered both valuable knowledge and genuine inspiration for a career in the shipping industry. I appreciate the Certificate of Attendance and look forward to exploring the photos and resources from the event. I’ve completed the feedback survey and would be glad to stay involved with PROJECT CONNECT’s initiatives. Thank you once again for your guidance, support, and motivation. The quote by Seneca is truly inspiring and a great reminder to stay prepared for what lies ahead. Wishing you all continued success in your impactful work. Looking forward to staying connected! Warm regards,"

"I want to thank the company for helping me find practical exercise. I feel grateful to Project Connect because after many attempts to do my practical exercise, they chose me from your site !!"

"As a professional outside the Shipping Industry, and as I was not so young as an entry level candidate I was looking for an opportunity to start my Career to this truly amazing world. PROJECT CONNECT and Ms. Irene Notias, with all aspirational initiatives and events, gave me this opportunity through "Adopt A Ship" project. All the team, with the guidance that they gave me, gave a meaning to all this effort for a successful career transition. And the miracle happened! Currently working at a Shipping Company and I really love it. What I have to highlight is that whatever they do, they do it with passion and love and that's what the Greek Shipping Industry needs so we can keep being "The Greeks". I would like to express my heart left gratitude to all of you. Keep up the great work , linking people with the Shipping Industry and make dreams become reality!"

<<Μέσω της Project Connect , ολοκλήρωσα την πρακτική μου άσκηση στο Mylaki Shipping Agency τέλος Αυγούστου. Το Mylaki για εμένα θα είναι πάντα χαραγμένο στην καρδιά μου. Ηταν η πρώτη μου δουλειά και η πρώτη μου επαφή με τον χώρο, οι συνάδελφοι μου ήταν εξαιρετικοί άνθρωποι ζεστοί και πρόθυμοι να με βοηθήσουν και να μου απαντήσουν σε όλες μου τις ερωτήσεις, αλλά και να μου δείχνουν καινούργια πράγματα συνεχώς. Έπειτα ο manager του τμήματος στο οποίο ολοκλήρωσα την πρακτική μου, είναι ο πιο καλός άνθρωπος που έχω γνωρίσει, ο πιο ευγενικός αντιμετωπίζει τα πάντα με καλοσύνη και χιούμορ ακόμα και στις πιο δύσκολες στιγμές. Στην συνέχεια το δυναμικό τους HR ήταν στην διάθεση σου πάντα να σε βοηθήσουν σε ό,τι και αν προέκυπτε δίνοντας την καλύτερη δυνατή λύση . Τέλος ο κύριος Νικόλας και Στράτος Τσαλαμανιός είναι πάντα δίπλα στους εργαζόμενους τους και τους παρέχουν τα πάντα ώστε να κάνουν όσο πιο ευχάριστο το εργασιακό περιβάλλον. >>

"As an internship student working at Project Connect , i would say that it was a very useful and interesting experience. I’m really grateful that Mrs. Notia and Mrs. Picha helped me on my first steps  in an office work and we had a great cooperation. I also helped Project Connect at Posidonia 2024 for my first time. Finally, after 2 months working there,  I’m leaving with a better knowing of the shipping industry and I’m really thankful that i was part to this non profit organization."  

When I first learned about Project Connect, I assumed it was just another job search platform. I soon realized that it is much more. Project Connect is a community of dedicated individuals who are eager to help, guide, and provide advice for any problem one might face. Thanks to your support, I was able to join the shipping industry and embark on my career. Special thanks to Mrs. Sofia Picha, who was always ready to help me with any challenge.

"Thank you to Project connect and Ms. Irene Notias for enhancing our generation’s employability through their programs and thank you for presenting me with the opportunity to intern at Arcadia Shipmanagement. There I learned widely about the day-to-day operations of ships and more in depth about financing and accounting through the teachings of my then colleagues in MGA/Accounts department, who are the most professional, friendly, and accepting people I’ve ever encountered and had the pleasure of working with. Finally, I’d like to express my gratitude to Mr. Mattheou who closely collaborates with Project Connect to provide these positions at Arcadia. He not only accepted me as an intern but also granted me a much-desired extension."

“PROJECT CONNECT found me an internship for the summer. This internship has been such a rewarding experience as it has granted me a front-row seat to the corporate structure of a maritime shipping company and the interplay between the various departments, not just within the accounting department. The mentorship and guidance I received throughout the internship have been exceptional, skilled professionals patiently answered my questions, shared their experiences, and encouraged me to think critically. In conclusion, after two months I am leaving with a better understanding of the industry but most importantly, exposure to real-world accounting practices which will serve me well moving forward.”

Today marks two months since I moved to Bahrain and became a member of the GAC Group family here in Manama. I’m having lots of fun engaging with my new colleagues and getting to learn so many new aspects of the shipping industry while also adapting to this beautiful country that Bahrain is. All of this wouldn’t have materialized without the assistance of Nikos D. Marmatsouris, FICS and PROJECT CONNECT Young Professionals in-the-Making who, after interviewing, brought me in touch with all the amazing people I needed to connect with, in order to propel my career. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know how frustrating and nerve-wracking it can be to enter the job market as a newcomer, especially in the shipping industry where working experience is so highly sought after by employers even for entry-level positions. I’ve had my share of setbacks and if there is one piece of advice I could give, as utter cliché as it may sound, is to never give up on your dreams. If you haven't given up you haven't failed, right? If you are an HR officer in a shipping company that looks to the future and values the enthusiasm and excitement a graduate can bring to the set, or a young professional in the making seeking to jump-start your career within the shipping industry, I would encourage you to register with PROJECT CONNECT Young Professionals in-the-Making Mrs. Irene Notias is doing a phenomenal job, spending her precious personal time on such a project that could very much be described as a social responsibility endeavor. Supporting her cause is a great way to contribute to the minimization of the graduate employability issue our industry is currently facing.

As a student member of Project Connect, I gained an internship at the shipping company Seaven Tanker and Dry Management Inc. giving me the opportunity to work with many departments (Technical, Marine, Operation, Purchasing, Crew) and to understand the multifaceted composition of shipping. Thank you very much for this valuable experience!

My main priority has been to learn new things and evolve to a better employee. The whole shipping internship experience at a large shipping company has been very rewarding and worthwhile. During the lockdown period, the company gave me a laptop to practice from home. All the employees have been willing to assist and share their knowledge. I thank them and PROJECT CONNECT for this experience.

Project Connect, thank you for helping me to find this opportunity at the American P&I Club. It was a great experience, since I learned the essential principles of working in a office and other materials that helped me move forward few baby steps towards my entry in Shipping Sector. This internship has definitely increased my interest in pursuing a career in shipping. I would love to stay in touch, finding other internships or jobs opportunities that will help me gain more experience in this field. Another thing i am grateful for, is the help i received in order to prepare for my interview. When I did the interview, I was much more relaxed and prepared and that helped me a lot with my answers.  Once again thank you for the opportunity.

My internship experience at Dianik Ship Management has been priceless. It has given me real work experience in the most major departments of a shipping company (Ops, Tech, Finance and Chartering). Other things that I have valued most about my internship at DSM include, but not limited to, the nice and supportive working environment and colleagues. I want to thank Project Connect and especially Ms. Notias for giving me “to the point“ advice and the chance to get this internship. Thank you Project Connect!!!

I will be totally honest. When I came to you I expected a boring session where I would be the one doing all the talking while receiving diplomatic answers that would try to make you appealing, boost my confidence and ego and have me coming back for more. Instead, I got a nice and much needed kick in the teeth.

While I already knew about most (not all) of the stuff that we discussed, I feel that I gained a lot. Firstly, I was able to get my priorities list straight. To quote your words, I’ve been putting too much emphasis on ‘shallow’ job searching while I neglected aspects that can make an individual stand out. Moreover, I had the chance to confirm some bad habits of mine during interviews that have potentially harmed me in the past. I also had the chance to hear a professional opinion regarding the aspect of job-hunting in other countries and rethink the methods that I’ve been using up until today. Finally and most importantly I realized that due to my past failures I gradually started to doubt myself and lose my interest to work in this sector, reducing my efforts and doing self-sabotage in the process. I will strive to never let that happen again and I consider this the biggest benefit that I got from today’s session.

Project Connect was the first organization that helped me a lot in respect of  job opportunities in the Shipping industry.I had the honor as member of the Project Connect  team to meet people who had valuable  experience in shipping and I am sure that in the future these people will give me the chance to gain important experience and knowledge.I would like to thank especially Ms Katia Galouka as I had my first interview from the beginning of our cooperation and she gave me all her know-how in order to improve my CV and forward to the shipping companies.I am convinced  that the whole team of Project Connect will help me in respect of my upcoming career in the Shipping industry.I feel so grateful for your support and your contribution.Thank you very much!

All started at Posidonia 2016, where I was given a flyer of PROJECT CONNECT. During that time, I was desperately seeking for placement in a shipping company for my university internship, as I had only two weeks left to find one. In those two weeks, Ms Katia Galouka interviewed me extensively, helped me re-edit my CV and finally, Project Connect found me an internship place in a well known ship-management company specializing in the dry cargo sector with a fleet that exceeds ten vessels. Currently, I totally enjoy every day at the company’s offices and try to learn the most from the ingenious employees that I cooperate. In conclusion, I feel really grateful for finding PROJECT CONNECT just before my professional career start. Special thanks to Ms Katia Galouka!

I was amazed when my telephone rang and on the other side of the line was the HR Department of the Angelakos Hellas S.A. without even having to hand in my CV. I immediately realized that it was PROJECT CONNECT that helped me, as I was interviewed by them through the 22nd Career Forum last September. I strongly believe that Ms Pavlopoulou gave me a lot of help and boosted me into fulfilling my professional ambitions. I now feel more confident and I know that I can rely on PROJECT CONNECT whenever I seek any further assistance.

Ms Capnissi gave me helpful advice for succeeding in an interview and fulfilling my professional ambition. The meeting was a great experience for me and she helped me understand what the market is looking for in a candidate. She was full of confidence and passion and made me adopt this attitude. I deeply believe that her advice will help me make my dreams come true!

I found the seminar ""CREATE YOUR SUCCESS STORY IN SHIPPING" really helpful. It made me understand how to prepare myself in order to find a job in this field. I would definitely recommend it to anyone with no work experience but with the ambition to enter the shipping industry. But except for the seminar, I would like to congratulate Ms Notias, for this initiative, because it opened new horizons in my career. Hr interest and passion to help young people get involved in the shipping industry is outstanding. With her assistance, I found an internship that helped me gain experience and a competitive privilege in the business field.

I graduated from NTUA in 2011, as a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer. By that time, jobs were already very hard to find. I spent quite a few months unemployed. I always kept an eye open for job openings from the newspaper and internet, but there was rarely any response to my efforts. In the end, I got a dead end job working as an assistant in an office remotely connected to shipping. I was fortunate enough to cross paths with you. Shortly after, you sent me an e-mail regarding a job offer, an actual job offer. Two interviews later I got the job. Thank you for opening the door for me in an industry, where being introduced is essential.  Proper professional guidance and an opportunity is all a young candidate needs. That is exactly what PROJECT CONNECT provides. I wish you you all the best!!

PROJECT CONNECT has gone beyond a service for me. Irene Notias, the founder of PROJECT CONNECT, and her exceptionally trained staff, understand the requirements for every business as well as the abilities of every candidate. I would like to put emphasis on two aspects. One is the friendly relation we developed, as the team is truly concerned that is committed to find the best compromise to all interested parties. Secondly, I also want to remark on the great concern and availability shown after the process. After a term of only 3 weeks, I was sitting on my new office, at my new job, surrounded by great people. As Aristotle Onassis once said, “To succeed in business, it is necessary to make others see things as you see them”. Irene Notias is a great example of these wise words, for the reason that she manages to keep Greece’s Shipping Industry connected in the greatest way helping out people like me and you.

The seminar "CREATE YOUR SUCCESS STORY IN SHIPPING" gave me important guidance for my career planning which I had never had before! Ms Notias and Ms Perpinia helped me gain an understanding of the shipping industry and redefine my career strategy in the way I could approach a future employer in this field. They also gave me valuable insights on what qualifications a shipping company is looking for in a perspective employee. I believe it has opened a new circle in my career searching prospects, which I would like to continue, with the assistance of the CONNECT team in the near future.

I really enjoyed attending the seminar "CREATE YOUR SUCCESS STORY IN SHIPPING" . It was valuable because I had the chance to enrich my knowledge in the shipping industry. I was given very useful tips on how to have successful interviews as well as on how to be more productive and efficient in the working environment. As a result, it was a beneficial experience which built the foundations for a successful career.

PROJECT CONNECT was the link that i needed for the shipping industry! I would like to thank all the PROJECT CONNECT team and especially Ms Notias for the guidance and the interview simulation. Everything was very educative and valuable for me. PROJECT CONNECT helped me find an internship in a shipping company. I wish you all the best!

When I started looking to join the shipping industry, everyone was telling me that I need a link to the shipping business. PROJECT CONNECT offered to me exactly that! The full support started with CV and interview advice, workshops and discussions and after that, I know that my CV was circulated to many companies through personal attempts of Mrs Notias and the rest of the PROJECT CONNECT staff. Meanwhile, the PROJECT CONNECT team was always there if I needed advice or any other help while seeking for a job. Finally, they continue to show interest in me and my career, even after I secured a job in London. All these lead me to say that I truly recommend to everyone that really want to work in the shipping industry to contact PROJECT CONNECT

Everything started three years ago when I won the internship award that was organized by Project Connect. Afterwards I began working as trainee at the same company where I continue my career right now. Recently I have been promoted as a Manager to my Department. I would like to thank the Project Connect that helped me so much at beginning of my career.

Project Connect was the first organization that helped me a lot at my primary steps in an office work. The whole staff and especially Ms. Notias gave me the chance to have an office experience at Prime Petroleum Services. As an intern, I gained important bunkering experience. People were helpful and willing to advise me on my upcoming career in the Shipping Industry.

Working at Project Connect gave me the chance to experience volunteering and working as a team for one common goal: to prepare and guide young students and professionals in beginning their careers and to link them with the shipping industry. It was also a great opportunity for me to learn basic principles of business, as well as how a company is organized and structured.

I began working with the Project Connect Team this year!!! I am excited to be part of a group of people who assist young people, not only job wise, or internships but with seminars, events and generally a guide for young people preparing for the business environment!! I wish that when I was studying I had someone to include me in events and seminars on motivation, or to bring me in contact with people and business people! I must say it is very exciting seeing young people striving for something positive in the current situation and it is an honor to be part of a Team that is truly sincere and can offer even if it’s a small building block to someone’s' successful future!