Learners who are interested to pursue a career in the maritime industry have now better options to achieve their dream.

This, as the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the University of the Philippines (UPOU) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Thursday, March 2, to elevate the delivery of maritime education and training to the public through open and distance learning.

The agreement was signed by MARINA Administrator lawyer Hernani Fabia; Standards for Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Officer in Charge Executive Director Samuel Batalla; UPOU Chancellor Dr. Melinda dela Pena Bandalaria, and UPOU Dean for Faculty of Management and Development Studies Dr. Joane Serano.
 
Fabia said the objectives of the MOU include joint academic activities including webinars and other trainings, collaborative researches, consultancy and other technical services, and resource and information sharing.

“The MARINA and UPOU both recognize the significant contribution of the maritime industry, especially our seafarers, in nation-building,” Fabia noted.

The signing of the MOA coincided with the 28^th anniversary celebration of the UPOU.

The partnership was in line with UPOU’s mandate to assist relevant national agencies, higher education institutions, and technical and vocational institutions in developing their distance education programs through training, technical assistance, research and other academic programs pursuant to Republic Act No. 10650 or the Open Distance Learning Law.

The partnership came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said earlier this week that it was high time to make the country’s maritime industry a “priority” again.