GLOBAL CHALLENGES, FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND MET DEVELOP

When we talk about globalization, then the partnership of the Philippines (MARINA) with global counterparts (IAMU, GlobalMET, IMAREST, NI, and APEC) in particular, is essential. This paper presents global activities that aimed to contribute to future global MET developments in the Philippines.

MARINA and MAAP participated in both events and had noted essential ideas that need to be animated to develop MET in the Philippines in partnership with international MET organizations who share similar concerns and interest. First was the 2017 APEC meeting hosted by KIMFT in Korea, aimed at coming up with future MET direction of seafarers in the APEC region, with focus on enhancing seafarers’ global capabilities and promoting their successful entry into the global shipping industry. The second was the 2017 IAMU-PAES-P project aimed at improving the quality of academic curriculum; to improve the learning experience of all concerned and to analyse and improve the MET system’s organization.

This paper presents the outcomes of both global conferences with a focus on the future Global MET developments in the Philippines in line with the Royal Institute Global Conference theme “Global Challenges and Future Directions in the Maritime Industry." Specifically, the paper presents, three distinct groups of knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA) that will enhance the global competency. These are the empirically based knowledge and skills (basic competency, numeracy, science, and technology skills); the Higher-order cognitive and metacognitive skills (critical thinking and creative problem solving); and the Global dispositions, perspectives, and attitudes. As this paper had explored future MET developments in the Philippines, there is a need for the adoption of global skills in MET curricula, assessments, and pedagogy.

Therefore, while we may not know what the MET and global maritime arena will look like in 2100, MET students who will benefit from this transformation movement globally, will be prepared to excel and succeed. This paper examines, summarizes, and offers solutions to what may be the biggest challenge facing the Philippine MET in the coming decades. The Philippines must possess maritime professionals or seafarers who demonstrate sufficient levels of global competency- the right skills, attitudes, and dispositions necessary to navigate and excel in a highly fluid, globalized, and increasingly competitive environment.

This paper presents the role of MET in enabling Filipino students with the skills, aptitudes, and dispositions required to be efficient and competing in the current and the future globally interconnected and interdependent world system. The Paper ends with concluding remarks.