Graduation Ceremony Held for 3rd Class in "3rd Year Program" for Filipino Seafarers

March 24, 2014

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced the graduation of 126 students in the third class of the "Third Year Program," which MOL introduced with the goal of developing seafarers who will uphold strict safety standards in vessel operation.

The Third Year Program targets new seafarers from among third-year students at seven partner maritime schools in the Philippines. MOL provides education and training at the Magsaysay Institute of Shipping(MIS), its training center in the Philippines.

On hand for the graduation ceremony were Philippine Congressman Jesulito A. Manalo, Development Bank of the Philippines Senior Vice President Atty. Lutgarda C. Baquiran-Peralta, MOL Managing Executive Officer Masaaki Nemoto, and others. Graduates of the program will be recruited as MOL crewmembers after 12 months of training aboard one of 15 training vessels, which were specially equipped with additional cabins for cadets, and its operated vessels.

MOL Managing Executive Officer Masaaki Nemoto addressed the graduate students at the ceremony, saying "Safe operation is the most important issue as an ocean shipping company and as a core competency to win customers' trust. This is always our top priority in every circumstance. All of you, always bear in mind that you are on the front lines helping us 'become the world leader in safe operation.' Build on your experiences while studying at MIS and what you have learned from failures, and please overcome the many hurdles you may face in the future and maintain the safety of yourself and vessels." The students left MIS with high hopes for the future.

The program received accreditation as the equivalent to university-level education under the Academe-Industry Linkage Program promoted by the Philippine government. Selected students will be educated and trained at the MOL training institute and on MOL-operated vessels for the second half of a four-year university curriculum.

Magsaysay Institute of Shipping (MIS)
MIS was jointly established by MOL and Magsaysay Maritime Corporation in 1993. The institute provides various types of practical and theoretical training to prepare students for careers at sea. Since 2007, MIS has contributed to the development and enhancement of maritime education programs, improving students' skills through supplementary lessons, technical support to instructors, and upgrading of maritime curriculum, in collaboration with designated maritime schools in the Philippines.

Academe-Industry Linkage Program
A program to help schools upgrade the education of students and enhance employment opportunities for top-quality students, based on cooperation between academia and industry.