On March 21, 2023, the Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Business College of Athens (BCA) and Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) at the Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTC) with BCA President, Mr. Harris Daskalakis and Mapúa MCL’s President and CEO, Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo. The partnership marks the beginning of Mapúa MCL’s first-ever master’s degree offerings, the Master of Science in Shipping Business and Master of Science in Marine Engineering Management.
The Master of Science in Shipping Business will be under the Mapúa-PTC College of Maritime Education and Training (Mapúa-PTC CMET), which has been providing world-class education and training for the maritime industry. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the shipping business, covering topics such as maritime law, logistics and supply chain management, commercial shipping management, crew management, and chartering.
The partnership with BCA brings a unique perspective to the program, as Greece is the leading shipping nation, with a rich maritime history dating back thousands of years, while 25% of Filipino seafarers operate under Greek-owned vessels. BCA’s expertise in shipping and business education will complement Mapúa MCL’s strong foundation in maritime education, creating a powerful learning experience for students.
The Master of Science in Shipping Business program is geared towards professionals and graduates who wish to deepen their knowledge and skills in the Ship Management industry. Students will learn from a faculty of experts with extensive experience in the field and will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources.
“BCA College is Greece’s oldest Maritime Business College, with over 10,000 alumni working across Greece’s more than 1,000 Ship Management companies,” said Mr. Daskalakis. “We are proud to collaborate with Mapúa MCL, a leading academic institution, to offer master’s degrees in the art of Ship Management. Master’s degrees are open to Filipino seafarers and students willing to enter this fascinating industry. Upon graduation, the best Filipino students will have the opportunity to work in Greece’s maritime industry, gaining world-class experience.”
The program is set to begin in the next academic year, with applications now open for interested students. The partnership between Mapúa MCL and BCA marks a significant milestone in the education and training of maritime professionals in the country.