Agreement to improve maritime faculty skills
TACLOBAN CITY – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) and the Masters and Mates Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MMAP) have agreed to improve the teaching skills of maritime faculty across the country.
Ruben Maceda, NMP officer-incharge, told reporters the memorandum of agreement for the project was signed by NMP Executive Director Dr. Romulo V. Bernardes and MMAP President Capt. Edwin M. Itable last July 20.
Maceda said the agreement defines the responsibilities of the two groups in conducting the Training Course for Instructors (IMO Model Course 6.09).
Under the agreement, MMAP officials and members will be tapped as guest lecturers at NMP; a five per cent discount on training fees will be given to NMP enrollees who are MMAP members, MMAP will be subject matter experts (SMEs) in developing new courses by the NMP, and MMAP members will be accredited with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) before they could be guest lecturers at NMP.
Maceda said the course is a basic training for maritime instructors.
Last May and June, similar agreements were signed by the two parties for conducting the Training Course for Simulator Instructors and Assessors (IMO MC 6.10) and Training Course on Assessment, Examination and Certification of Seafarers (IMO MC 3.12).
Part of the new agreement is holding part of the IMO MC 6.09 in Manila, Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro, over and above its regular offerings in NMP Tacloban and Manila.
Maceda said the signatories recognize that aside from upgrading the country’s pool of seafarers, advancing the capabilities of maritime faculty is equally critical.
The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to ensure that Filipino seafarers improve their chances of landing jobs by leveling up maritime instruction to international standards.
Maceda said the MMAP is a professional group of masters and mates who are pillars in the Philippine maritime industry. On the other hand, the NMP is the only government maritime training center offering specialized and basic safety courses in accordance with the requirements of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention.