University of Cebu

Nine UC ME graduates make cut for the MAAP
Nine out of the 15 Mechanical Engineering graduates who made the cut for the
bridging program to be Marine Engineers are from the University of Cebu.
The 15 successful candidates who will be attending at Maritime Asia and the
Pacific (MAAP) are: Christian Jose Ybañez (UC), Ulysses Baring (UC), Zosimo
Varquez (UC), Garry Basubad (UC), Noli Santilla (UC), Brix Terry Daan (UC),
Victor Lariosa (UC), Ranie Dee Umpad (UC), Galileo Arnado (UC), Ramil Baritos (CSCST),
Richard John Nicolas (CSCST), Dante Tagalog (CSCST), Rolando Salvoro (SWU),
Carter Gomez (SU), and Joey Abad (ABC). They will be required to have an
intensive medical exam as those given to professional seafarers, but the expense
for this will be taken care of by their corresponding principal, which includes
Kambara Kisen (ASTRO), along with other shipping principals, through their
manning agency Virjen Shipping Group of Companies.
This is for the special curriculum of the Philippine government through the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Professional Commission Regulation (PRC)
and the Maritime Training Council which allow Mechanical Engineering graduates
to counter the shortage of Filipino Marine Engineers in the global market.
"We need at least 1,500 new Marine Engineers within five years," discloses
Capt. Tomas B. Cristino, MSBM, Fleet Manager, Nissho Tankers, who came to
UC-Main as a representative of Virjen Shipping Corporation.
For a ME graduate to qualify for the bridging course, he must complete 21
units in the maritime course, including Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) training certificates.  The authorized
schools to render the upgrading course are: Visayan Maritime Academy Global
Colleges (VMA), MAAP, and Philippine Merchant Marine Academy.  The
University of Cebu is actively participating as one of the three institutions
within the country which assists in the recruitment of scholars.
"We’re looking for committed individuals," informs Capt. Cristino.  He
maintains those who meet the criteria for the bridging program must keep on with
the field for five years, at the very least.
"Everything will be provided for every bridging program scholar," Capt.
Cristino said of the shipping principal’s commitment to fund the school expenses.
A candidate must first possess a diploma in Mechanical Engineering. 
Some qualifications and contents of screening exams may vary,
depending on the standards set by the shipping principal.
"We are not particular of licensed ME candidates," says Capt. Rodien E. Paca,
Marine and Crewing Manager of ASTRO Ship Management Inc.  He also said that
the other principals might be keen on that aspect.  "We prefer males
though," Capt. Paca discloses when asked about the gender preference of their
company as ASTRO is intro providing full container service, managing bulk and
car carrier vessels.
Undergradautes are welcome to take the exams but they can only join after
they shall have earned their ME degree.
As with standard international seafarers, the compensation is in American
dollars.  Apprentice cadets are also compensated with a monthly allowance
of US0 for 12 months.
The next screening for the bridging program scholars will be on November 27,
2007.