Last 07 July 2017, the College of Maritime Education (CME) of the Our Lady of Fatima University opened its doors to esteemed delegates from Foscon Shipmanagement. In line with CME’s Academe-Industry Linkages and Pathways (AILP) program, the goal for both parties is to synergize forces resulting in the higher employability of CME graduates, and higher operational efficiencies for Foscon.
Leading the OLFU contingent was CME Dean Eutiquio R. Reyes, Jr. who presented the Foscon guests with the college’s official profile. Foscon Shipmanagement was represented by their Training Manager, Capt. Emmanuel Cruz; Joel Rondina, Manning Manager, and Ms. Joy Cabusi.
After the initial meet-and-greet, the Foscon visitors were given a comprehensive tour of CME facilities such as: the Simulator Room, the GMDSS Room (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System), the Engine Room, the Workshop, Machine Shop, Electrical Lab, Marine Power Plant and Boiler Plant, the classrooms, and even the library facilities. Capt. Cruz expressed amazement at the kind of facilities maintained by OLFU. He said he knows of OLFU’s expertise to be in medical studies; and is pleasantly surprised to discover state-of-the-art facilities for its Maritime students, as well.
Foscon’s Capt. Cruz signified eagerness to move forward with the partnership, through his endorsement of the AILP Program to Foscon’s top management. In this scenario, Foscon would be issuing a qualifying exam for cadetship to OLFU-CME students. Successful candidates will then be deployed on different types of ships. He specified that only three academic institutions in NCR have been selected by Foscon for this type of collaboration, with OLFU-CME being one of these.
A brief exchange of thoughts and a Q&A ensued, followed by the actual examinations taken by 16 Deck Cadets and 18 Engine Cadets.
This initiative is but a start to the AILP Program between OLFU-CME and Foscon Shipmanagement. More fleshed-out details and issues are in the agenda; but, certainly, a path towards a fruitful relationship has been paved.
