MARITIME higher education institutions (MHEIs) in the country beset with difficulties in complying with the required shipboard training of their students have something to look forward to.
The French government has committed to extend aid and to enhance Philipine maritime education and training (MET), which includes financing for the construction of a training ship, not just for one but up to three dedicated training vessels.
This is a favorable development amid the strong opposition of maritime schools to the provision of the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers which requires them to acquire training ships to guarantee cadetship berths for their students who qualify for onboard training (OBT).
Ambassador Marie Fontanel and Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) Supt. Commo. Joel Abutal signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that could pave the way for Filipino students to enjoy scholarships at the French Maritime Academy.
Even before the MoU signing, the state-run maritime institution already received help from the French government in addition to scholarships and funding for the acquisition of a training ship in the future.
Abutal said that the French government, which he described as “Big Brother” to PMMA, has invited the nation’s premiere maritime institution to attend international conferences, sponsoring their participation.
Under the MoU, both parties agreed to cooperate for the “realization of developing the maritime educational concept, technology, financing, operational application and sustenance of the Philippine Maritime industry through strengthening its foundation with maritime education and training and infrastructure”.
In addition, the French government bankrolled the PMMMA’s participation last 2023 in the high-level maritime security conference attended by Asian countries
