Philippine, Japan renew commitment on maritime education, training 

February 21, 2019

The Philippines, through the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), and Japan, through Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) and the Seamen’s Employment Center of Japan (SECOJ), have renewed their commitment on improving maritime education and training by signing the memorandum of cooperation (MOC) on the “2019 Maritime Instructors’ Training Scheme” last Monday. 

Through this agreement, Japan will continue to host a number of qualified Filipino maritime instructors to improve their teaching skills and technical information related to their speciality through a two-month advanced training course program this year. Specifically, the delegates will learn about organizing practical training programs and constructing evaluation criteria on group training. 

The delegates will be chosen based on the following criteria: (a) must be 25-49 years old; (b) proficient in English; (c) physically and mentally healthy; (d) have at least one year teaching experience in a navigational or engineering course; (e) qualified as an operational level seafarer for international voyage; and (f) willing to engage in maritime education and training for at least five years after completion of the training program. 

Marina will send invitation to apply to recognized maritime higher education institutions (MHEIs) for possible nominations. The agency will prepare a list of preliminary delegates who will pass the initial selection process, while the final selection of participants will be done by SECOJ and MLIT. 

Japan conducted the training program with maritime instructors from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Since the commencement of the MOC in 2010, 59 Filipino maritime instructors have finished the program and have shared their experiences to thousands of aspiring Filipino seafarers. DMS