Policies and Procedures for the Identification, Support and Development of Centers of Excellence (COEs) and Centers for Development (CODs) in Maritime Education

August 14, 2001

CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 29-01

 

In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994," and by virtue of Resolution No. R139-2001 of the Commission en banc dated August 13, 2001, and to achieve relevant, responsive and quality higher education in the country, the following procedures for the identification, support and development of Centers of Excellence (COEs) and Centers for Development (CODs) in Maritime Education are hereby adopted and promulgated by the Commission, thus:

1. Policy. It is the policy of the Commission to promote quality and excellence in higher education by identifying, supporting and developing Centers of Excellence (COEs) and Centers for Development (CODs) in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSMarE) are hereby recognized as programs needed to produce worldclass and scholarly professionals for national development.

2. Centers of Excellence (COEs) and Centers for Development (CODs). Centers of Excellence and Centers for Development refer to institutions or academic departments within HEIs which have continuously exhibited qualities indicating excellence in teaching, research and extension services in maritime education. As a minimum entry requirement, COEs/CODs must have full compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) ' 95 requirements. COEs/CODs must obtain a score of at least:

SCORE	CATEGORY
90-100%	COE
80-89%	COD-I
70-79%	COD-II

3. Roles and Responsibilities of COEs/CODs. Identified COEs/CODs in Maritime Education shall have the following roles and responsibilities:

3.1 act as role models in the delivery of quality teaching and learning process, research and extension services in the local, regional and national communities;

3.2 demonstrate research capabilities; provide assistance to other HEIs within its area of jurisdiction in terms of faculty development, research, instructional materials development and other quality upgrading activities;

3.3 offer innovative curricula responsive to the needs of maritime education and industry;

3.4 offer graduate program(s) in maritime education, if warranted; and,

3.5 undertake such other tasks necessary in the development of maritime education in the Philippines.

4. Support and Incentives. The Commission shall provide support and incentives to COEs/CODs in the form of faculty scholarships, staff development, including faculty fellowships for HEIs within their area of jurisdiction, research grants, instructional materials and other technical support. In addition, CHED shall recommend to the concerned government agencies tax exemptions for the acquisition of needed equipment and books for the identified COEs/CODs.

5. Responsibilities of the Office of Programs and Standards (OPS). The Office of Programs and Standards shall:

5.1 assist the TPME in identifying COEs/CODs;

5.2 monitor the development and progress of the identified COEs/CODs with assistance from the TPME; and

5.3 provide regular reports to the Commission on the status of the COEs/CODs.

6. Responsibilities of the Commission's Technical Panel for Maritime Education (TPME). The Commission's TPME, in addition to its regular and usual functions and responsibilities, and in relation to the herein referred COEs/CODs, shall:

6.1 recommend the list of identified COEs/CODs to the Commission;

6.2 evaluate and recommend project proposals submitted by the COEs/CODs prior to the support and development; and

6.3 recommend the award of grants, endowment fund and other forms of financial support to the COEs/CODs.

7. Identification Criteria. The COEs/CODs hereinreferred shall be identified in accordance with the following minimum criteria, to wit:

In addition to the minimum entry requirement of having full compliance with the Standards Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers '95 (STCW '95) COEs/CODs must comply with the following:

 

			CRITERIA	WEIGHT
7.1	Quality Standards Systems (QSS)	20
	With certified Quality Standards System (QSS)
7.2	Additional Requirements	80
	7.2.1.	Faculty		20
	•	General Education (GE) faculty should have
		completed academic requirements in their
		master's studies. The overall competence of GE
		faculty may be determined based on the level of
		academic training and diversity of their
		backgrounds and experience.	(6)
	•	All faculty who are teaching professional
		subjects should have their certificates and shall
		possess the required experience appropriate to
		the level of certification. The overall competence
		of faculty teaching professional subjects may also
		be determined based on the level of knowledge,
		understanding and training through the Continuing
		Professional Education (CPE), and the diversity
		of their background and practical assessment.	(14)
	7.2.2.	Student Services	15
		Must have an established and duly maintained student services, such as:
		7.2.2.1	Medical
		7.2.2.2	Guidance
		7.2.2.3	Scholarship Program
		7.2.2.4	Credentials
		7.2.2.5	Job Placement
		7.2.2.6	Social Services
		7.2.2.7	Alumni Service
	7.2.3.	Accreditation		20
		Must have attained accredited status given by
		the appropriate accrediting agencies, namely:
		the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools,
		Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), the Philippine
		Association of Colleges and Universities Commission
		on Accreditation (PACUCOA), the Association of
		Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities Accrediting
		Agency, Incorporated (ACSCU-AAI) and the
		Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and
		Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP).
	7.2.4.	Board Examinations Performance (BEP)	10
		Must have a board performance in the operational
		level at par with the national passing for the last five
		years beginning 1996.
	7.2.5.	Research and Development Program	15
		Personnel:	There must be an identified and
			properly compensated personnel
			tasked to conduct research and
			development activities. Students
			shall also conduct research and
			development in maritime education.
		Facilities:	Research facilities are a must for the
			COEs/CODs. Connectivity to the
			Internet is essential.
		Output:	The research output(s) of the maritime
			department shall speak for itself.

 

8. Identification Procedure: The identification of the COEs/CODs shall follow the procedures outlined hereunder:

8.1 The Commission, with the assistance of the Technical Panel for Maritime Education (TPME), shall prepare the instrument for the identification of COEs/CODs;

8.2 The HEI interested to be included in the identification process shall submit to the OPS a letter of application to be a COEs/COD together with an institutional quality profile based on the criteria previously mentioned. Application of those HEIs with full compliance to the STCW '95 requirements shall be entertained;

8.3 The OPS shall conduct a preliminary evaluation and screening for short listing purposes based on the criteria and/or the evaluation instrument in identifying possible COEs/CODs;

8.4 The OPS, with the assistance of the TPME and/or maritime experts, shall conduct an inspection on the short-listed prospective COEs/CODs;

8.5 The results of the evaluation shall be submitted by the OPS to the TPME for deliberation and further verification;

8.6 The TPME shall recommend to the Commission the list of COEs/CODs;

8.7 The Commission shall issue an Order confirming the COEs/CODs. The decision of the Commission en banc shall be final;

8.8 The COEs/CODs shall submit to the Commission project proposals identifying the needed support and incentives along with a detailed work and financial plan and with all the supporting documents;

8.9 The TPME shall evaluate the proposal and recommend the same to the Commission for approval and proper funding;

8.10 The Commission shall approve the proposal and issue an appropriate funding under Memorandum of Agreement (MOA);

8.11 The OPS, with the assistance of the TPME, shall periodically monitor the progress and development of the COEs/CODs and submit a written report to the Commission;

9. Duration of COEs/CODs. The COES/CODs shall enjoy such status for three (3) academic years unless sooner withdrawn for cause.

10. Re-evaluation and/or Reclassification. The COEs/CODs identified shall be re-evaluated after the expiration of the 3-Year period to determine if they still are qualified as such.

11. Effectivity. This CMO shall take effect immediately.

Pasig City, Philippines, August 14, 2001.

(SGD.) ESTER ALBANO GARCIAChairperson