10 new scholarships for Yacht Captains from the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and Omega Yachting Academy
27 scholarships worth a total of €195,000 since 2024 – Initiative continues for the third consecutive year in memory of Loucas Haji-Ioannou
The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, in collaboration with Omega Yachting Academy (https://omega.gr/), continues its scholarship programme for aspiring Yacht Captains for the third consecutive year. The 10 new scholarship recipients for the 2026 – 2028 academic cycle participated in a hybrid introductory meeting with the Foundation’s Founder and President, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, held at the Foundation’s headquarters in Athens.
For the 2026 – 2028 academic cycle, the Foundation is offering 10 full scholarships worth a total of €56,000 (€5,600 each), covering 100% of the tuition fees for the two-year programme. Each scholarship recipient will also receive an additional €1,000 upon graduation. The programme combines theoretical instruction with practical training at modern facilities and aboard yachts, with part of the training taking place aboard the historic MY Klelia 1, Loucas Haji-Ioannou’s first yacht, at Marina Zea.
The initiative is held in memory of Loucas Haji-Ioannou, honouring his longstanding connection to the sea and shipping. Since 2024, the programme has awarded a total of 27 scholarships worth €195,000, including the 2026 intake, supporting young people who wish to pursue a professional career in the yachting industry.
“My father, Loucas Haji-Ioannou, had a lifelong connection to the sea and shipping. I am pleased that through these scholarships, we can honour his memory in a practical way by helping young people gain professional qualifications and pursue careers in the yachting industry. I wish the 10 new scholarship recipients every success in their studies, and I hope that in two years’ time we will see them taking their first professional steps at sea,” said Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Founder and President of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and creator and owner of the easy family of brands (www.easy.com).
Through its collaboration with Omega Yachting Academy, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation continues to invest in specialised education and the creation of new career opportunities within the Greek yachting industry.
