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Joint Alternative Program Scheme for Innovative Education: Basis of Curriculum Intervention Supplementing Onboard Training for Undergraduate Maritime Students

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study examined the viability of the Joint Alternative Program Scheme for Innovative Education (JAPSIE) as a curriculum-based intervention in maritime education to address the limited availability of Onboard Training (OBT) among undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSMarE) programs. The framework addresses persistent constraints in shipboard deployment that delay graduation and hinder compliance with maritime education standards. Employing a mixed-methods sequential explanatory research design (QUAN→qual), quantitative baseline analysis of official Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 2024 Academic Data covering 127,810 students across 83 accredited Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) was conducted first to determine nationwide deployment deficits. This was followed by a qualitative evaluation incorporating insights from 60 purposively selected maritime industry stakeholders to explain structural barriers and inform the design of targeted curriculum interventions for fourth-year students who were unable to secure OBT placements. Findings indicate generally favorable support for adopting structured shore-based alternatives as a practical response to OBT limitations, addressing the study's methodological gaps. Sequential integration confirms that quantitative capacity bottlenecks directly justify qualitative stakeholder consensus. It also examined compliance concerns raised by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), particularly in relation to Completed Classroom Instruction (CCI) capacity, prolonged program completion, and insufficient shipboard deployment. The proposed JAPSIE curriculum adopts an outcomes-based approach, ensuring that graduates acquire the necessary knowledge, technical competencies, professional values, and independence for shore-based maritime employment. The study concludes that JAPSIE can mitigate the annual deficit of approximately 26,201 maritime students across 83 institutions, supporting timely graduation and employability. Graduates may subsequently complete OBT when opportunities arise to fulfill licensure requirements.
DOI: 10.59324/ejahss.2026.3(5).13
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7213469451
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Cites: 5
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Related to: 10