MMMA: Advancing the global shipping industry through innovative education
Filipinos comprise around a quarter of the world’s seafarers. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) shows that out of the 1.5 million seafarers in the world, around 378,000 are Filipinos. They are the top choice of workers when it comes to ship management because of their inherent knowledge of the sea, command of the English language, and characteristics such as dedication, discipline, loyalty, and hard work.
All these are the product of quality and innovative education that future seafarers receive in the country’s maritime academies. But even these training institutions are not created equal. There are schools that have the edge of having the best facilities that simulate life-like ship conditions and environments, the ideal academic environment, and the support of the biggest names in the global shipping industry. One maritime school that has this edge and aims to set the bar higher in global maritime education is the MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy (MMMA). A PARTNERSHIP FOR MARITIME EXCELLENCE
MMMA is a joint venture between Mitsui OSK Lines, Ltd. (MOL), one of the largest shipping companies in the world, and Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, one of the largest providers of seafarers for the global maritime industry.
For more than 20 years, MOL and Magsaysay have worked together to develop Filipinos and non-Filipinos into a professional and competent workforce through the establishment in 1992 of the Magsaysay Institute of Shipping (MIS) in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
With the success of MIS and to meet the increasing global demand for competent seafarers, MOL and Magsaysay established MMMA as premier maritime tertiary educational institution in the Philippines that will develop Filipino and other students in the region to become future leaders in the global maritime industry. It marks another milestone in the two-decade partnership of the two maritime industry giants in the training of proficient and highly skilled seafarers.
The sprawling 13.7-hectare academy is located along Carlos Trinidad Avenue in Brgy. Salitran, Dasmariñas, Cavite. No other than MOL president Junichiro Ikeda and Magsaysay Group president and CEO Doris MagsaysayHo led the inauguration of the new campus on September 12.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade graced the event as the guest of honor. He was joined by a host of other dignitaries including Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Koji Haneda, Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines John Holmes, and Ambassador of Panama to the Philippines Rolando Guevara Alvarado.
The dignitaries inaugurated the facility with the unveiling of a marker at the academy’s Student Complex followed by a Tree-naming Ceremony at the campus grounds. After these ceremonies, they were given a tour of the campus.
A COMPLETE CAMPUS LIFE
The sprawling campus is composed of four buildings, the most prominent of which is the Ship-in Campus. The four-storey building was designed to look like an actual ship and was given the name Spirit of MMMA.
The building houses the school’s auditorium as well as a life-size engine room, full mission and mini bridge simulators, global maritime distress and safety simulators, engine room simulator, lathe machine workshop and other advanced facilities. Beside the building is an Olympic-size swimming pool where sea conditions can be simulated. An actual lifeboat can be hoisted down from the side of the building into the pool to simulate ship evacuation procedures.
MMMA also has a 30-classroom academic complex. Each classroom has a ratio of 1:30 and also has a speech laboratory, science laboratory, conference room and three audiovisual rooms. All classrooms are equipped with an instructor’s computer, wide display monitor and white boards for an optimal learning experience.
As with any maritime boarding school, MMMA has a student dormitory that can accommodate up to 900 students. Four students can share in one bedroom that is equipped with two double-deck beds, ventilation and a study table.
For the students’ physical and intellectual needs, the Student Complex has a fitness center with a gymnasium, dining area, library, computer laboratory, and rooms for guest accommodation. Outside, there is also a track and field oval for athletics as well as tennis and basketball courts.
A GLOBAL CENTER FOR MARITIME EDUCATION
MMMA currently offers two degrees, namely 1) Bachelor of Science in Maritime Transportation leading to a profession as a Maritime Desk Officer to Master; and 2) Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering leading to a profession as a Marine Engineer to Chief Engineer.
Once enrolled in either of these two programs, MMMA offers graduates the chance to be employed in any MOL or Magsaysaymanned vessels plying the world’s seas.
The school also plans to offer more courses in the future and attract more students not just in the Philippines but also throughout the AsiaPacific Region.
“MMMA envisions itself to become a global center for maritime education where students from all over the world visit to acquire maritime knowledge and skills that are at par with the global standards,” Magsaysay Group president and CEO Doris Magsaysay-Ho said.