STI buys seafarer school
STI Education Services Group Inc. on Tuesday said it is buying NAMEI Polytechnic Institute, a school for seafarers.
“NAMEI offers courses in Maritime Transportation, and Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture,” the company said in its disclosure.
It did not disclose the amount of its acquisition.
STI said its NAMEI campus will be housed in the newly constructed STI Academic Center Santa Mesa along P. Sanchez Street, Metro Manila.
With an estimated value of P727 million, the 10-story building stands on a 3,691-square-meter property
and can accommodate 9,000 senior high school and college students.
The new campus will be operational this school year 2019-2020 and is equipped with industry-grade laboratories, simulation rooms, a basketball court and a student activity center.
“We are very happy with the addition of NAMEI to STI ESG’s institutional roster,” company President and COO Peter K. Fernandez said.
“It is an opportunity for us to introduce exciting changes and transform NAMEI into an educational powerhouse whose students will bring pride not only to their alma mater but also to the country.”
The acquisition is a strategic move to boost the institution’s soughtafter courses that emphasize academic excellence, and practical and industry-driven skills that will produce more world-class professionals in various fields particularly in information-technology programs for maritime, such as networking and communications, cyber security, and IT maintenance and services to keep up with the ever-changing demands in the seafaring industry.
It is also exploring a partnership with one of the biggest crew companies in the world to further train aspiring hospitality and culinary professionals. A growing number of Filipinos also provide housekeeping, guest relations, culinary, front office, and other maintenance services on cruise ships and floating casinos.
“A good number of Philippine maritime education and training institutes continue to hone the skills development of our seafarers. It is high time we complemented this with high-quality education to prepare a new generation of seafarers who are ready to join global cruise companies,” Fernandez said.
“This is not only a step forward for the STI community, but is also a progress for the future of education, especially for aspiring and young seafaring talents. What we are looking at right now is not merely a growth for both the STI network and the students, but also an expansion of the courses and programs that many will benefit from,” he said.