MMMA holds inaugural graduation
MITSUI O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL) President and CEO Takeshi Hashimoto graced the commencement ceremony of the first batch of graduates of the MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy Inc. (MMMA), a merchant marine academy operated jointly by MOL and Magsaysay Maritime Corp. (MMC).
The event at the school in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, on February 20 was attended by about 600 people. Special guests included Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa, and Doris Magsaysay Ho, president and CEO of MMC’s shareholding company A. Magsaysay Inc.
The event celebrated the departure of the inaugural class of students who completed the entire curriculum, including shipboard training.
In his congratulatory address, Hashimoto expressed his deep appreciation to the school community and the graduates’ families for their efforts in overcoming the ordeal of the Covid-19 pandemic and graduating the inaugural class of students.
“While keeping in mind your gratitude to your families who had supported your studies, I hope that you will make the most of the knowledge and experience you have gained while in the academy and open up new paths for yourselves,” he said.
About half of the graduates will work onboard vessels operated by MOL Group as third officers and third engineers after obtaining their maritime certifications, working their way up to captain and chief engineer.
As the volume of global seaborne trade increases, securing highly skilled seafarers is becoming increasingly important to ensure safe transport services.
Filipino seafarers play a core role in MOL Group crewmembers. While ship operation technology is becoming more sophisticated, they are expected to play more active roles in offering safe transport services.
MOL Group will continue to develop competent seafarers who can be immediately effective through their training and basic education for four years at MMMA.
Through this initiative, MOL Group strives to train seafarers and create jobs that will lead to “contributing to the growth and development of people and communities,” which is one of the group’s sustainability issues.
MOL Group shall continue to support people’s day-to-day fundamentals as part of its safetyfocused operations as a responsible custodian of a social infrastructure business.