Asian Institute of Maritime Studies

our story

The early 1990s witnessed the golden age of the Philippine maritime manpower industry, with over 250,000 Filipinos comprising the world’s merchant marine seafarer population. By then, the country had earned a reputation for being the primary source of seamen for the global shipping and transport market. Filipino seamen, many of which were riven to the sea for lack of better employment opportunities on shore, were prized for their English language proficiency and natural affinity to the sea.

The Philippines then had a massive pool of young workers; the opportunity to become a world superpower in maritime workforce was ripe. The newly-established Commission on Higher Education (CHED), however, was concerned that there weren’t enough maritime Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) that could help the country in meeting requirements to become the “Manning Capital of the World.”

Then came the brilliant vision of a simple man with grand dreams – Captain Wilijado P. Abuid to provide world-class maritime education to the Filipino youth.

Capt. Abuid, his wife Jayne, daughter Arlene, corporate lawyer and educator Atty. Santiago Pastor, marine officer and academician Dr. Felicito Dalaguete, and a well-rounded group of like-minded people came together to build an educational institution that would change the face of local maritime education.

It was August 16, 1993. The Asian Institute of Maritime Studies or AIMS was born.


our reason for being

philosophy

AIMS Logo

“We may not [be able to] change the direction of the wind, but as one family,
we can always adjust our sails to reach the port of destination”
~ Capt. Wilijado P. Abuid †


vision

The Home of Maritime, Engineering, and Heritage Knowledge Exchange
(Provider of Choice | Investment of Choice | Employer of Choice)

mission

Provide Accessible, Culture-driven and Exemplary (ACE)
learning environment in the provision of Relevant, Equitable and Lifelong (REAL)
Education, Training and Support Services (ETS)

quality policy

Quality education, training, and support services is our commitment to produce resilient leaders
for the seafaring, engineering and creative industry.

core values

Achievement | Integrity | Mastery | Service

institute credo

We don’t just accept the Smart, Intelligent, and Resilient students,
We help them become!

alumni credo

From HERE we can go ANYWHERE!

corporate governance

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Boardroom (© Kingsley Franco)

our identity

A Nation-Building Education

The Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) is a non-stock, non-profit educational institution comprised of five schools, namely: School of Merchant Marine (SMM), School of Maritime Business (SMB), School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA), School of Heritage Education (SHE), and the School of Graduate Studies (SGS). It is a specialized maritime higher learning institution committed to the development of the Philippine maritime industry.

School of Maritime Affairs (SMA)
The four schools have their respective roles in the development of the maritime industry. The School of Maritime Affairs (SMA) focuses on offshore operations and logistics. It sets high standards for seafaring training and education. It also educates professionals in the seafaring business such as port manager and customs broker.

School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA)
On the other hand, the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) focuses on onshore operations and ocean engineering. In preparation for Globalization 4.0 which predicts an increase in onshore support system and a decrease in manning operations as a result of automation, the school focuses on setting the education benchmark to support the onshore operations of the maritime industry of the Philippines. It covers domains such as ship repair and maintenance, naval architecture and design, and port operations.

School of Heritage Education (SHE)
Alongside the technical locus of the institution, the School of Heritage Education (SHE) focuses on promoting the maritime art, culture, and history of the Philippines through entertainment. It contextualizes the Philippine maritime identity through the culture and the arts. Currently, a lot of Filipino performers globally such as cruise ships performers are underemployed since they did not undertake a formal training in performing arts. The school intends to professionalize the performing arts industry and support Filipino performers.

School of Graduate Studies (SGS)
The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) focuses on maritime administration, education, and policy making. It seeks to educate professionals in the maritime industry by creating a platform for discussions and research undertaking. The development of the Philippine maritime industry relies on competent administrators and policy makers. Thus, the school cultivates professionals who are dedicated for nation-building and have a strong grasp of the Philippine maritime history and identity.

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AIMS Maritime Wheel

The five schools have different roles but as a whole it forms a coherent structure which supports the development of the Philippine maritime industry across all domains. The commitment and responsibility towards nation-building serves as the guiding principle and identity of AIMS as it cultivates itself as the Home of Maritime, Engineering, and Heritage Knowledge Exchange.


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The Regiment (© Kingsley Franco)

transparency and accountability


The Asian Institute of Maritime Studies or AIMS adheres to the highest corporate governance principle and standards. It proudly operates under the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification. It has enjoyed an ISO certification since its ISO 9002:9004 accreditation from the America Bureau of Shipping. The ISO criteria were mandated by the ’95 Standards and National Requirements of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW), and by the 2010 “Manila Amendments” Convention Code set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Ethics

The corporate governance policies of AIMS minimize conflict of interests and ensures checks and balances within the organization. It promotes transparency and accountability in decision making which is all anchored on the Vision and Mission of AIMS

Board of Trustees

The governing policies and standards is set by the AIMS Board of Trustees which is headed by the Chairperson. The Board, through the President, approves and enforces policies, programs, activities, appointments, and promotions. Moreover, it monitors and evaluates the actions and strategies of the President.

Management Structure

The AIMS QMS Management Structure (QMS-4) adopted the input-process-output model in addressing statutory, regulatory, and customer requirements. There are Academic and Administrative councils, committees, and teams clustered by hierarchy and levels of responsibility and accountability to ensure effective QMS.

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The AIMS Executives (© Franco Offemaria)

Executive Management Council (ExCom)

Executive Officers (President, Senior Vice President, and Vice Presidents) are responsible in conducting a management review of governing policies and standards, and then recommend the same to the Board of Trustees. ExCom translates policy directions to strategies and targets through periodic staff meetings. Quality Assurance Management (QuAM)

The Quality Assurance Management reviews and monitors the effectiveness of the Total Quality Management System through periodic audits. The QuAD members recommends enhancements of academic and administrative policies, standards and programs relative to quality standards.

Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee is composed of five (5) groups: Teaching-Learning Development Management (TLDM), Continuing Professional Development Management (CPDM), Resources and Assets Development (RADM), Student Services Development Management (SSDM) and Quality Assurance Information Security Management (QAISM). The AdCom reviews and evaluates processes and procedures and recommends plans, programs and strategies to ensure products/services are in conformity with defined standards.

corporate social responsibility

The Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) promotes Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and cultivates a culture of social responsibility to its stakeholder and its wider community. AIMS integrates the principle of corporate citizenship in its institutional policies and operational practices. It also launches initiatives to create positive impact to the community.

As a specialized maritime higher learning institution, AIMS is committed to the development of the Philippine maritime industry. Its nation-building commitment is the organizing management principle of AIMS as it seeks to positively influence its stakeholders and its community