On September 23, the NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA) held a graduation
ceremony at its campus in Canlubang, Calamba City, which is in the suburbs
of Manila. Enrolled in 2009, the graduating class of 106 students completed
three years of basic classes and training courses using operational
simulators and an engine plant, and one year of training on board NYK
training vessels.
The graduation ceremony was attended by NYK chairman Koji Miyahara and TDG*
chairman J. Roberto C. Delgado, in addition to invited guests that included
Gil A. Buenaventura, the president and CEO of the Development Bank of the
Philippines.
In his commencement address, Mr. Miyahara encouraged the students by
saying: “In several months, you will be assigned to NYK-operated ships and
play an important role in the realization of our medium-term strategy,
"More Than Shipping 2013," by being an employee who adds value to our
company. In the maritime industry that you will join, safe, highly trained
seafarers who have technical expertise are needed for a global expanding
economy that experiences rapid changes. The responsibility to ensure smooth
and safe vessel operations and to protect the environment lies on your
shoulders. We are placing a great deal of trust in you to protect the
reputation that NYK has built and maintained for decades.”
After the ceremony, the guests toured the new NTMA school building and
training facilities that opened June.
The program offered at NTMA produces high-quality seafarers by providing
them with a basic level of scholarship in addition to valuable experience
on board.
At the nationwide Maritime School Assessment Program (MSAP) examination
held for students attending merchant vessel seamanship schools in the
Philippines, most of the NTMA graduates were at the top in academic
performance. The students are now taking the ship officer examination, and
all the examinees so far have acquired seafarer certificates of competency.
After obtaining the certificate, each seafarer will begin a career as a
third officer or third engineer on NYK ships and will aim to become a
captain or chief engineer after completing the NYK Group human resources
development program.
NYK will continue its effort to offer practical courses that best prepare
seafarers for future challenges by improving both the quality and quantity
of Filipino seafarers in core positions throughout the NYK Group.