https://doi.org/10.53656/ped2023-6s.06

Резюме. This is a qualitative research for the preparation of the funded proposal using the following methods of data collection : interviews, observations , document analysis, internet search and the references and sources have been acknowledged. Based on the Maritime Security Initiatives of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) Philippines and the University of Wollongong (UOW) through its Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) course offerings, the common denominators between these two institutions were analyzed for the possible joint maritime security training project that will be led by MAAP and funded by the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the Foreign Scholarship Training Program (FSTP) for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) this June 2023. The joint partnerships are justified. The paper presents a brief Project Description, Short-Term and Long-Term Goals of HEI/s, Main Objective/Expected Transformation or Effects of the Project; Response to the Grant Thrusts, Indicators of Sustainability and its Responsiveness to SDGS, AMbisyon 2040 and MIDP2028. The maritime security training project would steer the development path towards enabling Filipinos to attain all dimensions of development (economic, human and physical capital, institutional, social, and cultural) for a strong, comfortable, and secure Philippines.

Ключови думи: maritime security education; sustainable development; human resources development

Introduction

Maritime security is of utmost significance to the world community as maritime concerns range from terrorism, armed robbery, and illegal trafficking, illegal fishing, pollution, and piracy at sea to illegal immigration and weapon smuggling. With the growing discussions about reinforcing maritime security capacity towards a safe, secure, and clean marine environment, it is recognized that strategic and needs-based training activities and capacity-building efforts are imperative for the Philippines. Maritime security aims for human security, national security, and economic development.

The Australia-Philippines relationship is marked by a longstanding friendship built on mutual trust and cooperation. Since 1946 to date, for 77 years, Australia and the Philippines have worked together to ensure a close partnership grounded in a commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. There is also an all-encompassing Defense and Security Cooperation (MoU on Cooperative Defense Activities and the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement or SOVFA) between the Philippines and Australia that built longstanding defense ties, fortified by high-level defense consultations, maritime security and counter-terrorism cooperation, and joint exercises. In Australia, the defense industry has a proud history of delivering cuttingedge capability solutions and is diversified with expertise in research and development, production of platforms and components, and sustainment of existing capabilities – across the air, land, and sea, space, and cyber domains. In the Philippines, it is worth noting that a public memorial commemorating the Australian mission of 24 RAAF Catalinas mining the entrance to Manila Bay on the eve of the landing against Japanese Navy interference, with nine men killed on Catalina A24 – 64, is currently located in the courtyard of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific in AlasAsin, Mariveles Bataan Peninsula, near where the mines were laid.

Education and Training are the cornerstones of the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Australia. The Office of Senator Tolentino envisioned a short-term Foreign Scholarship Training Program (FSTP) targeted at military and civilian Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel. The FSTP provides an opportunity for knowledge enhancement, technical competence, and selfadvancement, enabling them to contribute more effectively in line with their mandated agency functions (Franco & Milla 2023). The Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) International Affairs Services is tasked to administer the funds and oversee the project.

On February 17, 2023, at the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Office of the Executive Director, the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP), a Philippine higher education institution (HEI) in partnership with the University of Wollongong (UOW), through its Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), an international HEI jointly agreed to collaborate and implement the Maritime Security Training project with the Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP) who will provide and select the training participants (Stuart 2023).

MAAP's initiatives on Maritime Security are related to the project, being a NAVAL ROTC Unit, and teaching Maritime Security, Naval Defense, Protection of Sealanes, The UNCLOS, and Naval Operations. The MAAP Academic programs include BSMT and BSMarE course offerings with maritime security included in the five subjects such as Integrated Management System 2E; MGMT 2E (Course code E405); Leadership and Teamwork 1 (MGMT 1E); Leadership and Teamwork (MGMT 1); Maritime Law (Mar Law) and Integrated Management Systems (MGMT 2). All these five subjects satisfy STCW 1978 as amended, Chapter II, Section A-II/1 with the competence “Monitor compliance with legislative requirements” and Chapter II, Section A-III/1 with the competence “Monitor compliance with legislative requirements"; with the competency “Application of leadership and team working skills" under Function 3, "Controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons on board," Section A-III/2 with the competency “Use of leadership and managerial skill” and “Maintain safety and security of the ship's crew and passengers and the operational condition of life-saving, firefighting and other safety systems” under the Function of “Controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons on board”.3 It also abides by the recommendations of the four pillars of the maritime regulatory regime such as SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC 2006 and STCW. The MAAP Training programs include Seafarer Security Awareness Training and Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (SAD SSAT) course, SOLAS, MARPOL, and STCW Courses. Some MAAP innovative programs include Maritime Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity in the Maritime Industry, Cybersecurity on Shore, Cybersecurity on Shipboard, and Cybersecurity Policy.

On the other hand, supported by the Australian Department of Defense and by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, ANCORS-UOW has been running ANCORS Capacity-Building Program/s in the Philippines since 2012 for a two-week in-country Maritime Studies for Philippine Navy (PN); since 2018 for a oneweek in-country Law of the Sea course for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and since 2018 for the one-week in country Law of the Sea and Maritime Enforcement courses (Stuart 2023) for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Over 400 Philippine government officials have undertaken these courses. This 2023, in partnership with MAAP, ANCORS –UOW will be running a short-term Maritime Security Training Course for AFP (Baylon 2023).

The Philippines ranks 32nd in the military strength list. The Philippines climbed 19 places to land at the 32nd spot out of 145 countries in the 2023 edition of Global Firepower's Military Strength Ranking. With this capacity-building program on Maritime Security, the Philippines' ranking would undoubtedly be further improved.

Maritime Security has been a research interest to both the Philippines and Australian experts. The primary research is on conducting a joint Maritime Security training project to be carried out this June 2023; however, the focus is on the possible outputs and outcomes of the joint efforts.

1. Project Description

This project will be delivered online using a hybrid/blended model. There will also be a top-level visit to MAAP Philippines during the opening ceremonies cum training at MAAP and UOW Australia for the closing cum graduation ceremonies. The online delivery will be supported by interactive presentations, class, and small group discussions, printed course materials, audio-visual materials, and interactive practical exercises. The online platform could also be adapted via delivery by DVD to allow students to undertake study in remote locations.

Graduate Certificate in Maritime Studies (Duration: 6 months full-time or part-time equivalent) the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) will partner with Australia National Centre Ocean for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) of the University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia to deliver the program (Stuart 2023).

This program is designed to meet the early or mid-career education requirements of maritime professionals working in a policy or operational context; or for those without prior professional experience who may want to later articulate into one of the ANCORS Masters's degree programs or MAAP Master’s degree programs (Baylon 2023).

Students are required to complete two (2) core subjects and two (2) elective subjects from the list of subjects below:

Core Subjects

• SEA 901 Foundations of Ocean Law and Policy

• SEA 902 Law of the Sea

Elective Subjects

• SEA 904 Maritime Regulation & Enforcement • SEA 920 Ocean Law and Policy Capstone • SEA 903 Strategy and Sea Power • SEA 905 Legal Regulation of Shipping • SEA 906 Contemporary Oceans Policy • SEA 907 Maritime Security Law & Policy • SEA 908 Contemporary Maritime Issues in the Asia-Pacific Region

• SEA 909 International Marine Environmental Law

• SEA 910 Special Topic in Maritime Studies

• SEA 911 Research Project in Maritime Studies

• SEA 912 Minor Thesis in Maritime Studies

• SEA 913 Integrated Marine & Coastal Management

• SEA 914 International Fisheries Law

• SEA 915 Fisheries Management

• SEA 916 Fisheries & Development

• SEA 917 Integrated Monitoring, Control & Surveillance

• SEA 918 International Fish Trade

• SEA 919 Social Dimensions of Fisheries Management and Policy

• SEA 921 Governance of Coastal Fisheries

• SEA 922 Law of Naval Warfare

In addition, MAAP offers a range of postgraduate subjects that could be delivered as part of the Graduate Certificate, which would receive course credit within the Graduate Certificate. A logical subject in this regard would be MAAP's Masters's level elective subject in Maritime Cybersecurity.

Successful acquisition of the Graduate Certificate allows articulation into the following coursework Masters degrees:

• Master of Maritime Policy ( ANCORS-UOW, Australia)

• Master of Fisheries Policy (ANCORS-UOW, Australia)

• Master in Maritime Transportation (MAAP-CAMS)

• Master in Marine Engineering (MAAP-CAMS)

A University of Wollongong Graduate Certificate is a recognized qualification with four postgraduate subjects to provide specialized knowledge and skills in a specific study area. Graduate certificates can be undertaken as a stand-alone program, and most can be used as a stepping stone to further postgraduate study. The four subjects offered are aligned with the course structure of at least one UOW master's degree and may also be credited as an elective subject in any of the two MAAP-CAMS master's degrees. Therefore, an individual participant can progress into a master's if the participant desires to continue further studies either at ANCORS-UOW Australia or in CAMS-MAAP Philippine thru graduate credits transfer approved by the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (Stuart 2023).

The program could be delivered by several means:

• Intensive in-country delivery at CAMS-MAAP, Philippines, and ANCORS–UOW, Australia

• Live online delivery

• Pre-recorded online delivery

All four subjects could be delivered within the 2023 calendar year.

2. Short-Term and Long-Term Goals of HEI/s

In the short term, the training course will give the participants the appropriate knowledge and skills to understand the Law of the sea and maritime security. The participants are expected to be able to actively apply the maritime security concepts and principles to the specific needs of their workplaces or industry. The practical aspects will be of benefit to maritime law enforcement personnel who are responsible or involved with maritime security at port facilities.

In the long term, it is envisioned and expected that the course will enable and equip the participants with the skills, knowledge, and capacity to oversee and deliver Training in the Law of the sea and maritime security in their respective workplaces and industry.

3. Main Objective/Expected Transformation or Effects of the Project

The training courses are designed to provide a broad understanding of the Law of the sea, ocean governance, and maritime security. The participants will gain knowledge of areas such as maritime enforcement, maritime security threats and solutions, marine environmental Law, regulation of shipping, and marine resources management.

On completion of the Training, the trainees will have sufficient knowledge and understanding to enable them to:

• Explain the fundamental principles of the Law of the Sea as codified in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the rights and duties of States in the different maritime zones, navigational regimes, and how the Law of the sea developed through State practice & negotiations, and in evaluating diverse implementation;

• Demonstrate a thorough and advanced understanding of the pre-and post9/11 maritime security threat environments and the various national, regional, and international regulatory responses to such threats, particularly the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code;

• Discuss and evaluate the legal, political, and operational factors that contribute to the development of maritime security law and policy and the various approaches that States take in protecting national and regional integrity and security;

• Assess the consistency of maritime security regulations with the international Law of the sea and design potential solutions to address weaknesses or gaps in the legal and policy framework; and

• Exhibit research and writing skills by using relevant information, clearly articulating ideas, and synthesizing complex theories and concepts to address critical issues in maritime security law.

4. Response to the Grant Thrusts

The primary purpose of the Training Courses is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to understand the fundamental concepts and principles of the Law of the sea and maritime security. This will assist government departments and agencies, particularly those involved in maritime law enforcement, to deploy this knowledge and skills in their respective workplaces and industries by having the capacity to evaluate maritime security-related risks, suitably respond to maritime security threats to ships and port facilities and determine appropriate security levels and corresponding security measures to address maritime security threats.

5. Indicators of Sustainability

The participants in the training courses will be able to apply the knowledge and skills on maritime security in their organizations, enabling them to understand and meet specific industry requirements and shape strategies and plans.

The course will enable and equip the participants with the skills, knowledge, and capacity to oversee and deliver Training in the Law of the sea and maritime security in their respective workplaces and industry.

6. Responsiveness to SDGS, AMbisyon 2040 and MIDP2028

The project is responsive to UN SDG4, SDG5, SDG 17, and the Philippines AmBisyon 2040 (AmBisyon 2040).

Quality education (SDG4)as the maritime security project is a training with the possible development of a cybersecurity course by two accredited MET providers, enhancing the delivery and provision of quality education to be evaluated by the beneficiaries of the project themselves. Inclusivity and Women Empowerment (SDG5) as the maritime security project will involve interested women from AFP to participate and be trained. It will be empowered to conduct similar Training in their respective agencies. Global partnerships (SDG17) as the maritime security project is a collaborative endeavor between the Philippines and Australia that will further reinforce and strengthen the excellent relationship between these two countries through this joint project.

The Maritime Security Training project is in support of AmBisyon Natin 2040 vision that by 2040, Filipinos shall enjoy a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life, made possible through the well-selected participants coming from the AFP like the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy, agencies mandated to provide peace and security in all parts of the country.

The project is also in line with the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028, formulated by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) that will ensure the development and expansion of the Philippine Merchant fleet and the advancement of a futureready maritime capital. One of MIDP2028's eight priority programs focuses on enhancing maritime transport security. The MIDCP 2028 was highlighted during the Philippine Maritime Summit at the Manila Hotel in Manila on February 28, 2023, with his Excellency President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr as the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker (MIDP2028).

Conclusions and summary

The meeting between MAAPand UOW Philippines at the Office of the Executive Director of the Philippine Commission on Higher Education resulted in the funding of the partnerships between MAAP and UOW Australia through the FSTP program that will benefit the civilian and military of the Armed Forces of the Philippines through a graduate certification course on maritime security, development of a module on Cyber security, case study papers, and conduct of train the trainers event for a domino effect. Indeed, to contribute to the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to realize the AmBisyon Natin 2040 and the MIDP2028, the government should support this maritime security project that would steer the development path toward enabling the Filipinos to attain all dimensions of development (economic, human and physical capital, institutional, social and cultural) for a strong, comfortable and secure Philippines. The impact of the project will be documented and shared in a future paper.

Acknowledgment

CHED will fund the partnership through the FSTP program for nine million pesos (Php 9,000,000 or 161,550 USD or 235, 900 Australian Dollars) only for four course subjects). Sealed through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between MAAP and CHED Philippines; and also between MAAP and ANCORSUOW, Australia at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific Philippines, the authors would like to acknowledge the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the opportunity provided to MAAP to lead the project beneficial for the Armed Forced of the Philippines (AFP).

NOTES

1. AMBISYON 2040. Available from: https://2040.neda.gov.ph/about-ambisyonnatin-2040/. [Viewed 2023-03-01].

2. SDGs. Available from: https://sdgs.un.org/goals. [Viewed 2023-02-28].

REFERENCES

BAYLON, A., 2023. MAAP Initiatives on Maritime Security. PowerPoint presentation. February 17, 2023. Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Office of the Executive Director.

FRANCO, F. L. & MILLA, L. F., 2023. CHED Briefing About the FSTP Program. Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Office of the Executive Director.

STUART, K., 2023. Introduction to some theories on the Law of the Sea course of UOW ANCORS. Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED).