Phl, Malaysia set to integrate curriculum in maritime courses

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippines and Malaysia may not be in synch when it comes to the Sabah issue, but somehow something’s good is in the offing between these two countries in another front.

Both countries have decided to collaborate on the integration of the standard and curriculum benchmarking in the maritime courses, through a private-led initiative by Malaysian businessman Dato’ Ghazali Dato’ Yusoff.

Yusoff, who was in Cebu recently as one of the delegates of the Asia Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that they already touched base with different universities in the Philippines, starting with University of Cebu (UC) and the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), among others.

“I would like to propose an inter-university collaboration. Our preparation to the ASEAN integration should not be left alone to our governments, we have to move also,” said Yusoff in an interview.

He said the Philippines is known for its good maritime studies, as well as Malaysia. These two countries must share their expertise to strengthen the hold of Asian maritime crew in the global market.

Yusoff, who is also the chairman for a Malaysia-based technical and technology company, Nusantara Technologies SDN, BHD., said that part of the plan is to pursue an exchange of professors, students, and benchmarking of curriculum.

He said there has to be an exchange of curriculum in regional scope, especially in maritime studies. The ASEAN integration he said is very important, and players across industries should be prepared about it.

According to Yusoff, he will be back in the Philippines soon, to formalize the collaboration with different maritime schools here.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Lito Maderaso supports this move, saying Cebu in particular should led in the different collaboration initiatives with member ASEAN countries, in order to prepare for the 2015 integration.

“Cebu will be engaging in different collaborations with ASEAN countries. We are also promoting Cebu as an investment hub,” Maderaso said urging other businessmen to open their minds in more collaboration with industry players within the region.

Filipino seafarers contributed around $4.3 billion of the $20-billion remittances in 2011.

Meanwhile, last year, President Aquino signed Executive Order 75 transferring the task of ensuring the country’s compliance with the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers to MARINA, following the announcement of the European Commission (EC) to ban Filipino seafarers within the EU bloc.

In early May 2011, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) informed the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) that “the Philippines was no longer considered compliant with the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers (STCW).”

The EMSA conducted an independent audit of Philippine maritime schools and reported its findings on gross deficiencies.

In a letter dated May 11, 2011, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Leslie Baja warned the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) of a possible withdrawal of recognition of the Philippines’ STCW training and certification system.

“Failure to comply will trigger initiation of EC procedure for withdrawal of EU recognition of Philippine STCW training and certification system. This would mean that in the long run EU-registered ships could no longer hire Filipino seafarers,” read the letter.

Filipino seamen constitute an estimated 30 percent of the world’s maritime manpower. /JOB (FREEMAN)