NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA), which is located in the suburbs of Manila and jointly run by NYK and the Transnational Diversified Group (TDG),* proudly graduated the 107 students comprising the academy’s Class of 2015 on September 21.
NYK president Tadaaki Naito and TDG chairman J. Roberto C. Delgado, in addition to invited guests that included Hans Leo J. Cacdac, administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, participated in the graduation ceremony for the students, all of whom had enrolled in 2011.
President Naito encouraged the students in his commencement address by saying, “You had to endure homesickness and adapt to different personalities and cultures while maintaining a positive outlook. But I am also sure that you now have a better understanding of the vast opportunities and privileges that you will have by graduating from this academy. Congratulations, Class of 2015. You made it. All your hard work and sacrifices have paid off.”
Since opening in 2007, NTMA has established a scholarship program for students who might find it financially challenging to pursue such a degree. The curriculum offered at NTMA produces high-quality seafarers by providing them with a unique core curriculum in addition to valuable training on board, drawing on NYK’s extensive experience cultivating the best seafarers from all over the world. NTMA has been highly evaluated as a maritime school and was one of the first maritime academies to be recognized in 2011 by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism under a new certification program for graduates of overseas maritime academies.
After obtaining the seafarer certificate of competence, graduates of NTMA will begin a career as a third officer or third engineer on NYK-operated ships and aim to become a captain or chief engineer on NYK vessels, including the more technically challenging high-risk ships. A total of 554 students have graduated from NTMA since the academy opened, and most graduates are actively engaged as officers or engineers on NYK-operated ships.