Demonstrating academic excellence and professional promise, three deck cadets from Our Lady of Fatima University’s (OLFU) College of Maritime Education (CME) have successfully completed the 2025 Cadets Plus Program, a prestigious international maritime preparatory course organized by the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) in collaboration with the Wavelink Maritime Institute (WMI).
The participating cadets—D/C Louis Inovero, D/C Jay Mauriz Santos, and D/C Neman Vidal Abayan—underwent a two-week intensive training from May 12-23, 2025 at NYK-FIL Maritime E-Training Inc. in Canlubang, Laguna, representing OLFU with pride.
The Cadets Plus Program, developed and administered by WMI, serves as a vital bridge between formal maritime education and the operational realities of life at sea. Through immersive training modules and simulation-based instruction, the program seeks to enhance cadets’ competence, safety awareness, and professional readiness before embarking on their sea training.
As the training arm of SMOU, Wavelink Maritime Institute plays a pivotal role in upskilling maritime professionals in alignment with international standards such as the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW). The program also supports Singapore’s broader ambition of maintaining its status as a global maritime hub.
The selection and successful completion of this international preparatory course by the OLFU cadets reflect not only individual excellence but also the quality of maritime education provided by OLFU CME. Their achievement is a testament to the University’s enduring commitment to producing globally competitive maritime professionals.
By completing the program, Inovero, Santos, and Abayan have significantly bolstered their readiness for sea duty, positioning themselves for greater employability and long-term career growth in the maritime industry.
Their success marks yet another milestone in OLFU CME’s ongoing efforts to empower its students through international partnerships and experiential learning.
Story by Raymond Lumagsao
