OREANDA-NEWS. May 23, 2011. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced an agreement to introduce the Third Year Program with seven merchant marine schools in the Magsaysay Institute of Shipping (MIS*1) in Philippines, The move is aimed at cultivating seafarers who support for high level of safety standards in vessel operation.

MIS selected new Filipino seafarers from among third-year students at merchant marine schools, and gave them one year of training on our training ship and other MOL-operated vessels. The new program will bring forward selection of new seafarers by one year. They will be educated and trained for the second half of a four-year curriculum at university, completing their university education with courses under MIS management.

The program was licensed as equivalent to university-level education under the Academe-Industry Linkage Program*2 promoted by the Philippine government, and will start in June.
 <References>*1.  Magsaysay Institute of Shipping (MIS):
 MIS was jointly established by MOL and Magsaysay Maritime Corporation in 1993. The institute provides thorough safety education, various types of practical training, and rule-based training in preparation for serving aboard MOL-operated vessels. Since 2007, MIS has contributed the development and enhancement of maritime education programs, improving students' skills through supplementary lessons, technical support to instructors, and upgrading of maritime curriculums, in collaboration with designated merchant marine schools in the Philippines.
*2.  Academe-Industry Linkage Program:
 A program to help schools upgrade the education of students and enhance employment opportunities for top-quality students, based on academy-industry cooperation.