Supporting Maritime Talent Development Through International Exchange Program for Maritime Students
From October 26 to November 1, 2023, NYK (Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha) hosted a maritime exchange program in Japan, bringing together students from the NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA) in the Philippines and their Japanese counterparts from various maritime schools. This initiative represents the second phase of a comprehensive exchange program that previously welcomed two groups of Japanese students to the NTMA in August 2023.
During this second phase, eight students from NTMA participated in various shipboard training sessions and sports exchanges at the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology and Yuge College of the National Institute of Technology. The aim was to enhance the students’ understanding of Japanese maritime practices and culture while fostering strong relationships with Japanese maritime students. Their experience included a discussion session at the NYK head office with Filipino seafarers working ashore, providing valuable insights into professional maritime careers.
The TNMA students also toured prominent maritime facilities, including the Shin Kurushima Toyohashi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Japan Radio Co., Ltd. Tatsumi Office, and the Hikawa Maru museum ship. Visits to NYK Group companies, like Nippon Yuka Kogyo Co., Ltd. and MTI Co., Ltd., further enriched their learning experience and familiarity with Japan’s maritime industry and heritage.
The international exchange program, now in its seventh year since its inception in 2015, aims to cultivate an international perspective among future seafarers. Students from both countries spend roughly one week in each other’s nations, engaging in classroom lectures, hands-on training, and cultural Exploration.
The structured program consists of two phases:
- Phase 1: Japanese students from universities such as Kobe University, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, and Nagasaki University visited NTMA from August 17 to 24 and another group from various colleges of the National Institute of Technology participated from August 24 to 31.
- Phase 2: From October 26 to November 1, NTMA students visited Japanese institutions and participated in hands-on training and collaborative discussions, enhancing their technical and cultural understanding.
Feedback from participants highlights the positive impact of the exchange. NTMA students remarked about the extensive knowledge gained concerning Japan’s maritime industry and the warmth of their interactions with Japanese peers. Japanese students expressed how engaging with NTMA students fueled their motivation in their studies and were inspired by their proactive approach.
NYK remains steadfast in its commitment to collaborate with educational and research institutions both in Japan and internationally to foster the next generation of maritime professionals. The program aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the importance of educational exchange and cultural understanding in developing young talent in the maritime sector.
In summary, the NYK international maritime exchange program serves not only to enhance technical skills among maritime students but also to build lasting cross-cultural relationships that can benefit both nations’ maritime industries.
