16/09/2024
๐ ๐ฃ๐๐-๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ก๐ง ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ ๐ช๐ข๐ ๐๐กโ๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐ง ๐ช๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ก
Representatives from the Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation (MPCF) Legazpi City, led by President Ms. Merle Jimenez-San Pedro, joined the Women in Maritime Asia (WIMA Asia) Regional Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) held from September 10-12, 2024, in Busan, South Korea. Themed "Tides of Change: Women Leading to a Sustainable and Innovative Maritime Future," the conference gathered maritime professionals from across Asia to discuss sustainable practices, innovation, and the critical role of women in the maritime industry.
Joining Ms. San Pedro were Ms. Nila Oรฑate, and Ms. Lani Abrigo. Their participation underscores MPCF-LC's commitment to promoting gender inclusivity and leadership in the maritime sector.
As the President of Women in Maritime - Asia (WIMA-Asia) and Women in Maritime - Philippines (WIMAPhil), and concurrently the President of MPCF-LC, Ms. Merle Jimenez-San Pedro, stressed the crucial role of women's leadership in the evolving maritime industry. She described the conference theme as a call to action to embrace change and work towards a sustainable and equitable maritime future. Ms. Jimenez-San Pedro highlighted the shift from women being merely contributors to becoming leaders, innovators, and game-changers. She also underscored the importance of diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability in driving growth and innovation and called for collaboration and the exchange of innovative strategies to overcome the industry's challenges, aiming for a future where women's leadership is the norm, not the exception.
Throughout the conference, participants engaged in multiple sessions covering topics such as "Navigating the Future: Green and Digital Horizons," "Empowering Women Through Digital Transformation and Education," and "Leadership and Innovation: Women Pioneers in Maritime." Notably, Ms. Jimenez-San Pedro moderated the panel "Women at the Helm in the Asian Maritime Sector Today and Tomorrow," which featured prominent industry leaders discussing the current state and future of women in maritime leadership rolesโ.
The three-day event was filled with insightful discussions, presentations, and panel sessions focused on digital transformation, sustainable practices, leadership, and innovation. The opening ceremony on the first day featured a welcome address by Mr. Seong-yong Choi, Director General of the Maritime Affairs & Safety Policy Bureau, followed by a keynote speech from Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The event concluded with the WIMA Asia Conference Closing Ceremony and Korea Maritime Week Closing Ceremony on September 12, 2024. The conference reinforced the essential role of women in leading the maritime industry toward a sustainable and innovative future.
The participation of MPCF-LC's representatives in such a significant international event marks a continued commitment to enhancing women's roles and promoting gender equality in maritime education and leadership.