The Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI) successfully held its 51st Annual Convention on February 19-20, 2026, at the Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod, gathering maritime education leaders and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of maritime training amid rapid technological change.
Carrying the theme “Waves of Change: Navigating Maritime Education Across Generations,” the convention emphasized the need for maritime institutions to balance technological advancement with the development of essential human competencies.
The event opened with welcome remarks from Dr. Ronald Raymond L. Sebastian, followed by an opening message from PAMI Chairman Engr. Felix M. Oca. Sabino Czar Cloma-Manglicmot Il introduced keynote speaker Dr. lan Chew, Founder and CEO of Greenie Web and President of Youngship Singapore.
Excellence: Soft Skills in the Age of Automation,” Dr. Chew highlighted the importance of leadership, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and communication in preparing future seafarers for an increasingly automated maritime industry.
During PAMI Night, the association also recognized Dr. Elizabeth Salabas, former PAMI President, for her invaluable contributions to maritime education and leadership. The evening brought together delegates and longtime members of the organization in a celebration of camaraderie and shared commitment to the sector.
The convention also featured a presentation by Engr. Felix M. Oca on “Best Practices in Maritime Simulation Exercise Pedagogy, emphasizing structured simulation training to strengthen cadets’ technical competence and decision-making skills.
The gathering concluded with a closing message from Merle Jimenez-San Pedro, PAMI Secretary-General and President of the Mariners’ Polytechnic Colleges Foundation, who called for continued collaboration among maritime institutions to ensure the global competitiveness of Filipino seafarers.
The two-day convention reaffirmed PAMI’s commitment to developing future-ready maritime professionals equipped with both technological knowledge and strong human skills.
