<span lang="EN-GB">Higher education institutions conduct strategic planning to attain their goals and enhance their operations. Aiming for improved institutional efficiency, the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) conducted SWOT analysis to help establish an effective strategic plan. This quantitative-descriptive study, contributes to the understanding of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) affecting the operations of PMMA as a maritime higher education institution. Using a Likert Scale survey questionnaire, the data gathered from 767 respondents revealed that deliberate changes must be made to facilitate institutional growth. The PMMA’s strengths showed that the academy is meeting its objectives and its weaknesses are primarily process driven issues that need attention. The academy’s opportunities are external essentials that provide better chances and options for midshipmen to progress through their academic and training experiences. Most of the respondents agreed that the Academy has threats related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other future health crisis. To face many challenges brought by the globalization and the pandemic, PMMA has to develop a strategic approach based on the SWOT Analysis leading to improved efficiency. This initiative is meant to institutionalize SWOT analysis at the PMMA and encourage the practice of SWOT analysis in other higher education sectors.</span>

Continuous monitoring and evaluation are necessary in keeping graduates abreast of the trends and demands in maritime in order not to lag behind in a highly competitive environment like the shipping industry. The study evaluated the academic preparation and shipboard training performance of the PMMA cadets as basis for improvement of the program towards customer satisfaction. The descriptive design was utilized to gather and evaluate the perception of the respondents. The trainee-respondents rated the curriculum, faculty competency, and laboratory and equipment as very satisfactory. Evaluator-respondents rated the work competency, ethical standards, and knowledge and skills of the trainees as very satisfactory. Trainees positively regarded the preparation of reports. They also handled tasks and functions stipulated in their training record book though there are some areas where a significant majority did not experience. The latest trends and demands that should be addressed and incorporated in the maritime curriculum are the following: full compliance with security and safety; installation and use of up-to-date and modern navigational equipment; the presence of electronically controlled camless main engine; simpler but durable cargo handling equipment; and garbage management system. The weaknesses and gap revealed that the maritime curriculum and shipboard training need consideration and reflection to maintain the country’s status as the prime provider and producer of highly qualified marine officers.

The Philippines is a major provider of seafarers, with the majority of Filipino sailors serving on merchant ships all around the world. To stay competitive in the global market, most shipping companies recruit maritime students through a variety of processes and provide them with the necessary knowledge, expertise, and skills. The experience of maritime cadets/cadettes in the workplace aids them in realizing and grasping the employment needs onboard merchant vessels. This quantitative research study assessed the onboard experiences of PMMA cadets in order to improve the academy's shipboard training program and policy. A researcher-made survey questionnaire via Google form was used to gather data from the 162 First Class cadets/cadettes who were graduating midshipmen of S.Y. 2020-2021. The study found out that the cadet-trainees were exposed to technical tasks during their shipboard training. In terms of challenges onboard, they never at all experienced sexual and verbal harassment and abuse. Accordingly, they have very low experience related to civic disengagement. Inculcating high tolerance in shipboard training related to work stress and condition is one of the strengths of the PMMA Shipboard Training Program and the assignment and availability of training officers on board was noted as one of its weaknesses.

<p>The maritime industry is still considered to be a male-dominated field. Nevertheless, there are a few women who still managed to emerge victorious in the field, defying the stigma that women cannot embrace the maritime world. This phenomenological study focuses on the lived experiences of women leaders in the maritime field while ascending to their current position. It utilized a researcher-made semi-structured interview guide about the journey of each participant to leadership. Eight participants were purposively selected to shed light on the matters being sought. This study also clustered the challenges these women leaders individually encountered as they rose from the ranks. Values and principles which helped and guided the participants to triumph over the challenges were also discussed. Job excellence is common among the participants as their way to overcome any challenge. They eventually gained the respect of their male colleagues by proving their worth and doing their best. </p>