Monday, September 15, 2008 School inks pact with shipping firm; 50 studes get scholarships
THE University of Cebu (UC) has partnered with another international shipping company to provide scholarship grants to more students.
Fifty marine students have been granted scholarships at the beginning of the partnership between UC Maritime Education and Training Center (UC-METC) and the Interorient Navigation Company (INC).
“We were impressed with the leadership of Augusto Go (UC president) and the facilities provided by the institution,” said Themis Papadopoulus, INC chief executive officer.
INC is a Cyprus-based company that provides marine transportation services worldwide. The company also manages several vessels with international routes.
UC-METC and INC signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) and launched the scholarship program last Wednesday.
Baldomero Estenzo, UC vice-chancellor for external affairs, said the school’s partnership with INC is in response to the “needs of the times,” when international standards must be implemented in maritime schools in the country.
Go, in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu, said the partnership is a step to address the global shortage of seafarers.
“Many companies are looking for Filipino seafarers because of their good work ethics,” he added.
He said the Philippines is the number one contributor to the worldwide pool of seafarers, accounting for 28 percent. Russia comes next with only six percent.
“The big bulk of seafarers are from the Visayas area,” he said.
Under the terms of the MOA, 25 deck and 25 marine engineering students are provided full scholarships that include tuition, board and lodging.
The scholars are also given an opportunity to have their on-the-job training on board INC’s ships during their third year under a cadetship program.
Meanwhile, UC-METC completed a four-story building that houses the INC office.
The school also has an existing cadetship program under the International Maritime Employers Committee (Imec) with 100 student-beneficiaries. (DME)
