EDITORIAL: The Vision, The Mission, IMPOSSIBLE?

By FELICITO DIMZON III, Chief Editor
ADMIT it or not, when searching for a good educational institution where we plan to finish our degree, the list of considerations will never be empty.

Editorial cartoon by MICKAYE NAKPIL

We always look after the school’s popularity, the location, proximity of home to school, facilities, and even uniform. These are but few of the typical things that can be found in each student’s “qualifications” of a good school. 

But in a larger sense, have you ever thought of considering the quality of education that your chosen school could provide?

Is the institution true to its commitment of giving you the quality education you need, considering today’s competitive climate? Or at least, even before choosing such institution, have you ever considered taking even a glance on its mission and vision?

It is a fact that in PNTC Colleges Manila, when one walks along its hallway and continue towards the elevator, he can see the nicely framed school’s vision and mission.

This represents how the school values its commitment to its learners.

The vision and mission posted are the new versions. The first one was created on April 18, 1994 when the school was still starting to operate and was still using the original name Philippine Nautical Training Institute (PNTI).

Are you not curious about why the school changed it? Was it unattainable or unrealistic? In the first sentence of the old one, we can assume that the school will be the college of excellence and distinction in higher education and training in the Philippines. Same as what is meant by our new version of School’s vision.

PNTC still tries to prove its excellence through our hard working professors. They strive hard to equip us with knowledge we need for us to be effective in our chosen careers. We have our supportive administrators who never cease to find more things or ideas that help us develop more.

Let us also cite our facilities like the library which—although just starting— contains reading materials enough for us to search and study our lessons; computers that we can use to surf the internet for adequate information; classrooms, where we can experience a peaceful ambiance designed for a suitable learning environment.

Meanwhile, the old vision states that, PNTC Colleges will provide multidisciplinary programs that are valuable, sustainable and relevant to higher employability and global technological developments.  

This is also clearly seen in PNTC. They are providing different trainings and programs that are relevant to the course. We have the Ship Familiarization of SEA 101. Maritime students get the opportunity to go on board and learn through a Shipboard Training Officer (STO), who thoroughly explains everything that we shall encounter during our actual work.

On the other hand, the Sea Trip of Watchkeeping Deck 201 gives maritime students the chance to experience one week of actual shipboard, ship familiarization, emergency preparedness, and ship operations observation, among others.

The ship travels from Manila to Cebu, Ozamis, Zamboanga, back to Cebu and finally back to Manila; Merchant Marine Regimental Program (MMRP) and Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) for third year maritime students give trainings for basic safety and survival procedures at sea. No doubt that through these trainings, we can expect for greater opportunity to be employed quickly than other maritime schools.  

The old mission states that PNTC Colleges is the leading educational provider of maritime and allied courses that provides an exceptional learning environment which is also stated at our new mission.

PNTC is firmly holding its commitment to provide exceptional learning. So how can we attain this?

It is clearly stated by our old mission that, through innovative, advance technology, competent faculty and staff, and supportive management, we can imagine that even before, PNTC has been doing its best to provide students high quality of education through cooperative efforts of the faculty and management.

Now, how can all of these help the students? Well, the old mission states, students are encouraged and empowered to reach their highest potential in the pursuit of personal achievement and professional excellence.

At this point, we can see that what was stated before is the same as the new. There is no reason for us to doubt the capabilities and dignity of the school.   They changed it, not because it is not attainable.

They changed it to be more effective and direct when it comes to molding learners. Now, it is our turn, students, to have our own vision and mission.

Our vision: PNTC will be known as an outstanding educational institution with a heart for excellence in maritime and business education;

Our mission: To make PNTC the number one maritime and business school in the Philippines.

Together with the undying support of the faculty and administration—we can do this, can’t we, cadets? Aye, Sir!