The Colorful Spring Journey of MSP 6th Batch
26 April, 2021
As the cherry blossom buds started to appear in the hustle-bustle street of Roppongi, the 6th batch of the Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program (MSP) is full of enthusiasm and excitement to experience the Spring season in Japan. Probably because there would be lots of first-time experiences and activities that await us in the Spring period, both in academic and social life. Aside from the fact that our academic compliances in the winter term and online class session will be finally over, seeing the spectacular beauty of the full bloom of cherry blossom; taking the Shinkansen train (colloquially known as bullet train) for our trip to Hiroshima; and the face-to-face classroom session in the Japan Coast Guard Academy for the Spring term give us much motivation and exhilaration.
We welcomed our academic Spring term by moving from Tokyo to Hiroshima onboard the Shinkansen train on April 04th, 2021. When we arrived at Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chūgoku Center, we are so delighted that all smiled staff in the Information Desk. The following day made it more special. We are given a chance to meet the newly installed JICA Chūgoku Director-General Tsutomu Okada, wherein a short welcome ceremony was rendered for us. Director-General Okada expresses his message of encouragement for all the participants to take full advantage of the program's training and education opportunities and, most importantly, build a strong network and further strengthen partnership and cooperation among participants.
In the afternoon, great weather and calm blue seas greeted us at the Japan Coast Guard Academy. Before the formal commencement of the Spring term, the seven participants from Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the Philippines were received by the senior officials and faculties of Japan Coast Guard Academy (JCGA) led by Vice Admiral Masaki Kasai, JCGA Superintendent. It was followed by a brief orientation, the introduction of Spring term subjects by the professors, and a facilities tour. The Spring term courses, which are delivered by subject-matter expert faculties, specifically focus on subjects related to international maritime laws and regulations, practical education related to maritime safety and security, and other theories that would further increase the understanding and knowledge of the participants.
As the 6th batch of MSP embarks on another flourishing academic journey aboard the Japan Coast Guard Academy this Spring term, we are all looking forward with great gusto the fresh buds bloom of knowledge that we will acquire, and to make lots of beautiful memories, same as what the beautiful cherry blossom brings during springtime.
(Prepared by: CDR Noemie G Cayabyab: Philippine Coast Guard)
