MANILA, PHILIPPINES – In a concerted effort to enhance maritime education and training (MET) in the Philippines, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) have reaffirmed their commitment through the renewal of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The renewal ceremony took place on 25 April 2024 at the MARINA Central Office, marking another milestone in their collaborative efforts.
The original MoU between MARINA and IAMU was signed in February 2015, laying the foundation for mutual cooperation in various academic endeavors. Under this agreement, IAMU pledged to provide academic advice and recommendations to MET institutions in the Philippines, aiming to improve curricula for officers on board and postgraduate programs for shore-based maritime professionals.
One of the key initiatives outlined in the MoU is the organization of academic workshops, where IAMU’s network of MET practitioners engages with MET institutions in the Philippines. These workshops focus on enhancing teaching methodologies and refining the contents of relevant subjects within the curricula. Furthermore, the MoU facilitates the exchange of outcomes from these activities, ensuring that both parties benefit from shared knowledge and experiences.
In line with these collaborative efforts, a recent site visit was conducted by IAMU and the Peer-Assisted Evaluation Scheme – Philippines (PAES-P) Working Group, comprising representatives from MARINA and the University of Rijeka, Croatia. The visit took place at the College of Maritime Studies of the University of Antique (UA) from 22-23 April 2024.
During the site visit, experts provided peer-assisted evaluation and academic advice to UA, aligning with the objectives set forth in the MoU between IAMU and MARINA. Such visits serve as invaluable opportunities to assess the quality of maritime education and training programs and offer tailored recommendations for improvement.
In the ceremony, IAMU Executive Director Professor Takeshi Nakazawa, representing IAMU Chair Adam Weintrit, Ph.D., delivered a comprehensive overview of the collaborative activities between IAMU and MARINA, emphasizing their shared commitment to advancing maritime education standards.
For her part, MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan expressed her enthusiasm, stating that the renewal marks another beginning of strengthened collaboration and stronger partnership. She emphasized the Agency’s desire to sustain such partnerships with IAMU, highlighting the benefits of IAMU’s membership, network, and global best practices.
Additionally, during the event, Professor Damir Zec and Professor Srđan Žuškin from IAMU member University of Rijeka respectively provided a brief report and recommendations based on their PAES-P site visit to the UA, further contributing to the collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing maritime education and training in the Philippines.
The collaboration between IAMU and MARINA underscores a shared commitment to advancing the standards of MET in the Philippines. By leveraging international expertise and fostering peer-assisted evaluations, these initiatives aim to produce highly skilled maritime professionals equipped to meet the demands of the evolving industry landscape.
The renewal of MoU was signed by MARINA Administrator Malaluan and IAMU Chair Weintrit.