The Ties that Bind

Cover Story, Reinvention and Revival Issue

The Ties that Bind

The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) and the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) not only share the legacy of Capt. Gregorio Sta Cruz Oca, the father of modern Filipino Seafarers, but also his vision of producing top qualified seafarers to the global fleet- and a collective effort to improve maritime education in…

carmelahuelar

11th Jun 2024

3–4 minutes

PMMA: THE INDUSTRY’S TRAILBLAZER IN MARITIME EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) is expected to sustain its role as a trailblazer in Philippine maritime education and training under the leadership of Commodore Joel Abutal, who has been reappointed as Superintendent.
The nine-member PMMA Board of Trustees, chaired by Commissioner Dr. Ronald Adamat of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), has given Abutal a fresh mandate to steer the institution and continue his plans and projects for the academy in the next four years.

Abutal has said that he will focus on continuing ongoing programs and projects, including the full digitalization of PMMA. The academy now has two service providers providing internet connections at 500 Mbps each and is currently looking for another provider to further improve internet service within the PMMA Complex in San Narciso, Zambales.

This initiative is part of the P25-million Smart Campus Project that PMMA embarked on a few years ago. The project, a special financial assistance program for state universities and colleges from CHED, aims to provide a fiber-optic backbone in the PMMA Complex to establish a stable ICT infrastructure and reliable network as well as world-class internet connectivity. The Smart Campus project paved the way for the academy to launch the PMMA Information Management System that fully digitalized its operation from application and entrance examination to competency assessment and graduation of cadets.

Abutal has also said that he will focus on PMMA Educ 4.0, the extensive use of advanced ICT, specifically the integration of Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technology in education. PMMA is showing the way for other maritime higher education institutions (MHEIs) to follow in this area.

On the industry’s shift to carbon-free marine fuels, or decarbonization, Abutal said PMMA had already gone ahead of the industry. “We have already integrated decarbonization into our curriculum,” he announced.

Moreover, Abutal disclosed that PMMA is part of a European Union-led working group on decarbonization. “We’re part of the working group; the Philippines is part of education and training. We already attended twice; the most recent one was on the use of ammonia as marine fuel.”

In addition to the integration of decarbonization into its curriculum, PMMA has continuously taken steps to innovate and improve its curricular programs. Only recently, it enhanced its BS Marine Transportation (BSMT) and BS Marine Engineering (BSMarE) programs by integrating the management level course (MLC) for deck and engine officers, which Abutal branded as STCW Plus.

Abutal explained that most MHEIs are using the 3-1 system (three years academic and one-year onboard training), while PMMA is using the 2-1-1 system (first two years in school, third-year onboard training, and another one year in school), allowing it to include Management Level Course (MLC) subjects.

“The curriculum of most schools is 3-1; the 3-1 system produces Officer-in-Charge (OIC) graduates. The 2-1-1 system covers MLC subjects,” Abutal pointed out.
“We are using the STCW Plus curriculum, because aside from OIC after onboard training, cadets can also take MLC (in the fourth year when they return from onboard training). The companies requested topics or subjects, and we are making them electives that we can add; we can also put innovations in the fourth year.”

READY FOR ANY CHALLENGES
The shipping industry is facing several challenges as it transitions to a more sustainable future. These challenges include the high cost of new technologies, the lack of infrastructure for low-carbon fuels, and the need for international cooperation.

The global shipping industry is committed to decarbonization and is making progress in developing the technologies and practices that will be needed to achieve this goal.

PMMA and MAAP are at the crossroads of these challenges, and while a century may set them apart in terms of age, the need to continue fighting for the country’s place in the global shipping arena as a major supplier of qualified crew is a binding force and a beacon of hope that both institutions are working on with resilience and a sense of urgency. – CIH

One response to “The Ties that Bind”

Wil Almeria

Jul 10, 2024 at 10:58 am
Competing Institutions Unite to Face Maritime Industry Challenges

This article highlights the recent inauguration of the PMMA Knowledge Center, a testament to the innovation happening in Philippine maritime education. It also sheds light on the fierce competition between the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) and the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP).

However, the core message is one of collaboration. Captain Gregorio Oca, the founder of both AMOSUP, the Philippines’ largest seafarer’s union, and MAAP, is positioned as a unifying figure. The future success of Filipino seafarers hinges on these institutions working together to address the challenges of digitization, automation, and decarbonization.

Here are the key takeaways:
- The PMMA Knowledge Center signifies the Philippines’ commitment to modernizing maritime education.
- PMMA and MAAP, despite their rivalry, share a common goal of maintaining the Philippines’ position as a leading supplier of qualified crew to the global shipping industry.
- Both institutions are actively preparing students for the future of shipping through curriculum updates, investment in simulation technology, and a focus on “green shipping” practices.
- Collaboration between PMMA, MAAP, and industry stakeholders is crucial to navigate the challenges of decarbonization and technological advancements.
This is a well-written piece that captures the complexities of the Philippine maritime education landscape and emphasizes the importance of cooperation in a rapidly changing industry.

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