Category: Bacolod News

On November 25 to 29, 2024, a team from JBLCF-Bacolod, composed of 3E Bernard M. Sorbito, Jr., Quality Assurance Manager; C/M John Erll N. Destacamento, PhD, Dean of the College of Maritime Education; and 2O Nestor A. Herpacio, Jr., On-Board Training Supervisor, visited shipping companies and manning agencies in Makati, Metro Manila for the biennial Industry Satisfaction Survey. The purpose of the visit was to gather vital feedback on the performance of JBLFMU graduates, the challenges facing the maritime industry, and potential future trends. This survey not only provides insights into how the institution can adapt to industry needs but also guides JBLFMU in refining its priorities to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the future. By fostering strong partnerships with industry leaders, JBLFMU remains committed to shaping maritime education that benefits its graduates and the global maritime community.

Companies Visited:

1. Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTC, Inc.)
2. PHILCAMSAT (Training Center) – Partner of PTC, Inc.
3. Amaya Shipping Incorporated, Sealanes Marine Services Inc., and Pandiship Corporation
4. Var-Orient Shipping Co., Inc.
5. Marimar Shipping Agency Corporation
6. BW Shipping Philippines, Inc.
7. Synergy Group Operations, Inc.
8. Arctic Shipping Corporation
9. Torm Shipping Philippines, Inc.
10. Dalisay Shipping Corporation
11. Bouvet Shipping Management Corporation
12. Phoenix Maritime Corporation
13. Crossworld Marine Services, Inc.
14. Seacrest Maritime Management and Songa Crew Management
15. Laurel Carriers Philippines, Inc.
16. Dakila Ship Management Corporation
17. F. A. Vinnen Philippines, Inc.
18. Eaglestar Marine Services
19. Alster International Shipping Services
20. Parola Maritime Agency Corporation
21. Epsilon Maritime Services, Inc.
22. KJCM Maritime Corporation & Epsilon Maritime Services, Inc.
23. Net Ship Management Inc.
24. DOHLE Seafront Crewing (Manila), Inc.
25. Friendly Maritime Services, Inc.

The Industry Satisfaction Survey 2024 conducted by the team yielded several key insights regarding the performance and preparedness of its graduates in the maritime industry. Here are the summarized key points gathered from the feedback:

General Observations

Stakeholders stressed the need for JBLFMU’s curriculum to align with the evolving demands of the maritime sector, highlighting that continuous engagement with industry leaders is essential for adapting educational programs to better prepare graduates.

Specific Feedback Highlights

Industry feedback highlighted several key areas for improvement regarding graduate preparedness:

Graduate Preparedness: While graduates demonstrate foundational skills, there is a recognized need for enhancement in practical applications and essential soft skills for maritime operations.

Training Infrastructure: Observations from training centers indicated a necessity to upgrade training facilities and methodologies to provide students with relevant hands-on experience aligned with current industry practices.

Networking Opportunities: There is a call for improved networking initiatives, particularly aimed at female cadets, to boost job placement prospects for graduates.

Areas for Improvement

Curriculum Development: Feedback pointed to specific competencies, including advanced technical skills and leadership training, that need greater emphasis in the university’s training programs.

Industry Challenges: Stakeholders discussed various challenges facing the maritime sector, such as regulatory changes and technological advancements, indicating that the university should prepare students to navigate these complexities.

Positive Feedback

Strengths of Graduates: Several companies acknowledged the strong theoretical foundation of the university’s graduates, particularly in maritime regulations and safety protocols, which are critical in the industry.

The biennial Industry Satisfaction Survey conducted by the team from JBLCF-Bacolod has provided invaluable insights into graduates’ preparedness for the maritime industry. The feedback gathered underscores the importance of aligning educational programs with industry demands, particularly in enhancing practical skills and soft competencies. Additionally, improved training infrastructure and networking opportunities have been highlighted as essential for better graduate outcomes. By addressing these areas and fostering strong partnerships with industry stakeholders, the institution is well-positioned to adapt its curriculum and training methodologies, ultimately ensuring its graduates are equipped to meet the challenges of an evolving maritime landscape. This commitment benefits students and strengthens the maritime sector as a whole, paving the way for a more competent and competitive workforce.

The two-day training workshop “Employing AI in Qualitative Research: A Practical Workshop,” held on November 21-22, 2024, brought fresh ideas on how AI can be utilized as a welcome addition to promoting qualitative research in JBLCF-Bacolod.

Designed to address the challenges qualitative researchers face in today’s data-rich environment, the workshop highlighted how artificial intelligence (AI) can streamline the analysis of complex textual data, as traditional methods can be time-consuming and subjective. Throughout the workshop, the participants engaged in a comprehensive intellectual journey that included foundational concepts of AI in qualitative research and hands-on sessions that allowed them to apply AI techniques, such as text preprocessing and visualizing thematic structures through multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis, directly to their work.

Turning Knowledge into Practice

With the new knowledge and skills learned from the training workshop, the JBLCF-Bacolod participants have committed to forming another valuable Core Group in Research specializing in the production of Qualitative Research while utilizing AI-assisted technologies such as Orange Data Mining Software in processing and analyzing data analysis and Mendeley in organizing references. Another workshop intended to strengthen our familiarity with and use of these technologies will be conducted at the start of 2025, inviting more participants from the unit also to join.

After attending a seminar-workshop on “Intensifying Strategies for Global University Rankings & Scopus Publications” last November 12-13, 2024, JBLCF-Bacolod, spearheaded by the Unit RDC, initiated the idea of forming a Core Group of Authors and Writers for Scopus Publication.

The seminar workshop, attended by selected participants from the three academic campuses, provided strategic directions for increasing publications in Scopus-indexed journals. This initiative aims to eventually place JBLFMU in world university rankings. The challenge is to raise the university’s current record of 50+ articles published in Scopus-indexed journals to 100 and beyond.

Translating What We Learned from the Seminar-Workshop

To answer this challenge, JBLCF-Bacolod has identified a core group of researchers composed of faculty researchers and students, particularly those who attended the aforementioned activity, who will be tasked to write various types of publishable materials (research articles, commentaries, essays, etc.) for Scopus publication. A follow-up workshop for the core group will be held at the start of 2025. This team will work under the supervision of the Unit Research Coordinator in collaboration with the Academic Deans of the College of Maritime Education and the College of Business and Education and instructors teaching Research.

Dr. Emeliza Estimo, Research Coordinator of JBLCF-Bacolod, presented her paper at the 24th Annual Conference of the Southeast Asian Association for Institutional Research (SEAAIR 2024), held from November 4 to 7, 2024, at the University of Foreign Language Studies in Danang. The conference focused on “Education Creativity and Sustainability in the Digital Era,” attracting over 100 participants from various countries.

Discussions at the conference revolved around creative and sustainable education, empowering educational technologies, and the role of data-driven decision-making in institutional research. Keynote addresses highlighted schools’ need to prepare for blended learning and the importance of nurturing critical thinkers to tackle sustainability challenges. The integration of AI tools like ChatGPT was debated for its potential to enhance language learning, while recommendations for future research included assessing generative AI’s long-term impacts on student performance. Overall, SEAAIR 2024 served as a vital platform for collaboration among educational professionals committed to innovation in teaching and learning in today’s digital landscape.

The IAMU AGA 2024 conference, held from October 9 to 12, 2024, at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, centered on “Protecting our Mariners, promoting our industry, and providing for the future,” facilitating vital discussions among maritime professionals and students. This event served as a platform for exploring critical issues such as policy, technology, and environmental sustainability, which are essential for shaping the future of the maritime sector.

Among the four representatives of JBLFMU were 2/O Nestor Herpacio Jr., OBTO Supervisor of JBLCF-Bacolod, and D/C Kirby Ofianga, a Misuga cadet who presented their papers at the IAMUC and IAMUS, respectively. The participation of 2/O Nestor Herpacio Jr. and Kirby Ofianga as paper presenters at the IAMU AGA 2024 not only showcased their individual talents but also highlighted JBLFMU’s commitment to developing world-class researchers in maritime education. Their contributions among a diverse group of professional and student presenters exemplify the university’s dedication to fostering a new generation of competent maritime leaders who are well-equipped to address industry challenges and promote sustainable practices in maritime operations. This engagement reinforces JBLFMU’s mission to cultivate innovative thinkers capable of driving advancements within the maritime sector.