THE new NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA) in the Philippines took in its first batch of 180 new students to its new campus in Calamba
New NYK-TDG Maritime Academy in the Philippines takes in 180 seafarers
THE new NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA) in the Philippines took in its first batch of 180 new students to its new campus in Calamba, about 50 kilometres south of Manila.
NTMA is jointly run by Japan's NYK line and business partner Transnational Diversified Group (TDG). Students will undergo a four-year course, with the first three years concentrating on classroom study that includes the use of the academy's ship-handling simulator and engine plant. The fourth year will be practical onboard training and graduates can then begin careers on board NYK vessels as officer candidates.
In a ceremony, NYK president Yasumi Kudo said: "Competence is the ability to perform effectively and efficiently a certain task using the knowledge and theories coupled with the right values, skills and discipline. In the shipping sector, competent and trustworthy seagoing personnel are necessary to ensure the safe and smooth operation of the ship and the safe delivery of cargo to its destination on time."
The programme offered at NTMA produces high-quality seafarers by providing them with a basic level of scholarship in addition to valuable experience on board. Until last year, the academy accepted 120 students - 60 each in the fields of marine navigation and marine engineering - but this year 180 students were accepted, 90 in each academic discipline.
Each year, graduating students take the nationwide Maritime School Assessment Programme (MSAP) examination in the Philippines, and all the NTMA students have ranked well above their peers from other schools.
In August 2011, NTMA was one of the first maritime academies to be recognised by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) under a new certification programme for graduates of overseas maritime academies. The upgrade of its training facilities will allow the academy to continue to offer practical courses that best prepare the seafarers for future challenges, thus improving both the quality and quantity of Filipino seafarers in core positions throughout the NYK Group, the shipping line said in a statement.