Dr. Eden Patnongon, Professor, College of Maritime Studies (CMS) and Capt. Luis V. Garfin III, Associate Dean, CMS, are currently in Busan, Republic of Korea for the 2024 ODA Train The Trainer (TTT) Program: Capacity Building Program among Stakeholders of Maritime Education and Training Institutions across Asia and Latin America Regions hosted by Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology (KIMFT), from July 17 – October 10, 2024.

The TTT Program is a newly launched program carried out by the Republic of Korea with the aim to enhance the quality of Maritime Education Training (MET) system and enhance the capacities of instructors or professors who educate cadets in maritime academies or universities through activities such as, MET Instructor Course (Based on IMO Model Course 6.09), Basic Safety Training (SPS), Maritime English, Field-trip to Maritime Industry, Onboard Training, Research Development Workshop, and Korean Culture Experience.

Dr. Patnongon and Capt. Garfin are among the five (5) Filipinos together with delegates from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Mexico, and Peru who constitute the 21 Academic Professionals who are recipients of the three-month training which is funded through the Korean Official Development Assistance (ODA).