UV among 23 schools allowed to continue maritime programs

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas is among 23 schools nationwide recognized by the Commission on Higher Education and the Maritime Industry Authority to offer Bachelor of Science programs in Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering.

Captain Emerico Gepilano, dean of the UV Maritime College, said out of the 96 maritime schools in the Philippines, only 23 passed, two of which were from the Visayas.

In an interview, Gepilano said he instituted changes beneficial to the future seafarers since he assumed post as college dean.

One of the changes was to hire instructors who are active seafarers so that students will be updated of the latest trends in the global maritime industry.

He said when he assumed as the dean, he noticed deficiencies in the college but after instituting changes, he was able to eradicate all of it following the inspection jointly conducted by MARINA and CHED.

He said UV graduates are globally competitive being trained by active seafarers and academically competitive instructors.

Today, over 400 future seafarers, including lady seafarers, who endured three years of rigorous trainings, are set to graduate from UV.

Gepilano said today’s exercises will be graced by MARINA administrator Dr. Maximo Q Mejia Jr. who will be the guest speaker.

Mejia, being the MARINA administrator, is responsible for the integration of the regulation, development and promotion of the maritime industry authority in the country.

He has been active in his efforts in coordinating with the different government agencies to make sure that the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Convention are adhered to.  Because of this, he was included in the Lloyd’s List of the world’s 100 Most Influential Persons in the Shipping Industry in 2013.

Before he served MARINA, Mejia was a professor at World Maritime University in Malmo Sweden and was the head of the Maritime Law and Policy Program.

He was also a visiting professor of the United States Coast Guard Academy and Lund University Faculty of Law and an editor of at least seven books.

He served the army and the Philippine Coast Guard and earned his degree in the United States Naval Academy in Maryland, USA.

Mejia earned his Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy in Tufts University in Massachusetts and his Master of Science in Maritime Safety Administration in WMU.

Finally, Mejia earned his Doctor of Philosophy from Lund University in Sweden. He graduate high school from Don Bosco Mandaluyong in 1981.

Gepilano said aside from Mejia, 2nd Officer Lovender Orozco, who placed seventh in the January 2014 Marine Deck Officers board exams, will also be present during the recognition and graduation exercises. — (FREEMAN)