University of Makati offers maritime scholarships

MANILA, Philippines - The University of Makati (UMAK) in partnership with Southfield Agencies Inc. and the JC Binay Foundation Inc. is offering a Maritime Scholarship Program this school year to male high school graduates of the city.

The Maritime Scholarship Program is open to all male students graduating from a Makati public or private high school this March or April who are in excellent physical, psychological and emotional health, and are strongly motivated to become a professional seafarer.

All interested applicants are urged to immediately file and submit their applications for the entrance examination scheduled on March 23, 2014. Deadline for submission of application is on March 21.

The requirements are as follows: photocopy of high school card (F-138), Certification by the principal that student-applicant belongs to the school’s graduating class (if applicable), accomplished scholarship application form (form available at UMak), letter of request for scholarship grant from parents, letter of request for scholarship grant from the student-applicant, certificate of good moral character, two pieces 2X2 pictures and a P300 entrance exam fee.

The BS Marine Transportation and BS Marine Engineering curricula are designed to have three years in-school instruction in UMak and one year shipboard/technical training in Southfield’s 200-manned vessels.

Graduates of the program can earn around $2,500 as junior officers and $7,500-$10,000 as Captains or Chief Engineers.

According to the Makati City government, the creation of the programs bridges the gap where other maritime institutions have failed.

Statistics show that only 25 to 35 percent of students graduate with a degree because most cannot get shipboard training. For those who are successful in completing the degree and obtaining a license, there is no guarantee in finding a job and so the parents’ average semestral investment of P 20,000-35,000 is put to waste. With the UMak-Southfield partnership, UMak graduates are assured of employment, the city government said in a statement.

Southfield Agencies Inc. has been committed to providing highly qualified seafarers to its local and international customers, and first ventured into establishing a scholarship program in the Manuel S. Enverga University located at Lucena City, Quezon. The program has produced 250 active scholars; 35 of whom already reached junior officer rank. To allow more youth access to the transformational benefits of seafaring, it has partnered with the University of Makati through a Memorandum of Agreement signed in November 2013.

Established in June 2005, the JC Binay Foundation Inc. seeks to improve the quality of life of the disadvantaged sectors through community development, livelihood programs and humanitarian activities.

Those interested may text or call 0999-8823742, or at the Southfield Office at Rm. 104B, Academic Building 2, University of Makati.  - Mike Frialde