MNMU-OMMEP ACCORD FOR PH MARITIME EDUCATION, MUTUALITY – South Korea’s Mokpo National Maritime University (MNMU) and the One Movement for Maritime Education of the Philippines (OMMEP) entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on board Korean government training ship ‘Segero’ on April 15, 2019 at Pier 15 of Manila South Harbor, to encourage closer ties between MNMU and OMMEP, with programs of collaboration and mutual interest. Shown signing the MOA are Dr. Sung-Hyeon Park (2nd from left), MNMU president; Engr. Galileo A. Maglasang (2nd from right), OMMEP president; Chairman Chong Pal Kim of Foscon Ship Management, Inc. (extreme left) and Dr. Joy Clarita C. Villapando (extreme right), president of Worldwide Link Education Development (WLD).
The Mokpo National Maritime University (MNMU), a leading maritime institution in South Korea and the One Movement for Maritime education of the Philippines (OMMEP), an emerging association of maritime higher education institutions in the country have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish programs of exchange and collaboration in areas of “mutual interest” on maritime education and training, related academic studies, benchmarking and research undertaking.
MNMU president Dr. Sung-Hyeon Park and OMMEP president Engr. Galileo A. Maglasang, together with Foscon Shipmanagement chairman Chong Pal Kim WorldWide Link Education Development president Dr. Joy Clarita C. Villapando signed the historic accord, aboard the Korean government training ship “T/S Segero” last April 15 at pier 15 of Manila South Harbor.
In his welcome address, Engr. Maglasang described the day as a “milestone” in the country’s maritime education and training (MET) as OMMEP is set to serve as a venue of discussions and collective action in addressing common and most pressing issues in maritime education, training and trade.
Maglasang said: “OMMEP was established by several small maritime higher education institutions and individuals who have deep sense of passion, initiatives and responsibility to uplift the state of MET in the country.
Through hardwork, commitment ,and collective efforts of its officers and members , OMMEP, together with of our partners in Foscon Shipmanagement, Inc and MNMU, brought us here today in our aim for holistic and transformative collaboration and cooperation in various academic programs. “.
Maglasang extended his appreciation and gratitude to Chairman Chong Pal Kim of Foscon Shipmanagement, Inc. for his support and initiatives that gave birth to this MOU. ‘Chairman Kim is our standing consultant and adviser in the OMMMEP”, he said. He thanked the government of Republic of Korea and President Park and other officers of MNMU for putting their trust and confidence on OMMEP and for extending ‘this transformative cooperation between our two countries in the advancement of various academic programs and MET.”
MNMU president Park lauded Maglasang’s message, thanking him and the rest in OMMEP for the initiatives they took that gave birth to the MOU. Maritime journalist-analyst and legal researcher Eulogio Malicse when asked to comment on the event said, “This is historic in Philippine maritime and seafaring industry. Aside from the main MOU between MNMU and OMMEP, we saw Philippine 12 maritime colleges also signing their MOUs with MNMU., a first in Philippine Maritime MET history.