AIMS renews partnership with PKNU in SKorea

THE Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) renewed its partnership with Pukyong National University (PKNU) in South Korea to further its academic collaboration, research and development undertakings, and technology transfer.

In an official statement, AIMS Chief Executive Officer Felicito Dalaguete said the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the two institutions was renewed late last year.

“AIMS is the only Philippine Maritime Higher Education Institution (MHEI) chosen for the PKNU International Partnership together with 257 universities from 48 countries. We have sent six international students,” said Dalaguete.

AIMS was part of the Philippine delegation that attended the Korea-Philippine Maritime International Cooperation, Technology Exchange Seminar and Partnership in Busan, South Korea last April 10 to 14, 2023.

The delegation also included representatives from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development-Department of Science and Technology (Pcieerd-DoST), and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (Soname).

The group visited four universities, a training ship and several research centers with industry-academe project cooperation in South Korea.

Oh Eun-Taek, mayor of Namgu District; Dr. Ryu Jeeyeol, president of PKNU LINC 3.0; and Lee Jung Wan, chairman of Busan Marine Engineering Association and Korean Offshore and Shipbuilding Engineering Cooperative (BUEA/Kosec), warmly greeted the Philippine delegation with the assurance of commitment for the partnering and academic collaboration, undertakings in research and development, and technology transfer.

“The presentations made by the Philippine delegates provided further insights on the Research and Development as well as Science and Technology Innovations needed in the Philippine Maritime Industry geared toward transforming advanced technology in shipbuilding, ship repair, naval architecture and marine engineering testing facilities.

“On the other hand, the Korean Delegates presented the LINC 3.0 Business Areas of Development. This included the PKNU specialized Areas, Industry-University Convergence Education, Technology Transfer and Start-up Support, Community Cooperation, LINC 3.0., and ICC-defined mutual cooperation-exchange programs for the Philippines.

“It also presented, as per its framework, the second stage in the establishment and operation of ICC for Regional Cooperation of Technology Transfer: Specialized Field Education, Technology Exchange session, and Technology transfer,” Dalaguete explained.

AIMS also signed a MoA with Soname during the Cebu Maritime Sector Expo 2023 to fully support Research and Development and Science and Technology Innovations within the Maritime Industry and Transport Sector Development Plans.