News release

Nova Scotia Signs Maritime Agreement with Philippines

Education (July 1999 - March 2013)

With the world's second-largest concentration of marine experts, Nova Scotia will soon begin assisting Philippine partners in enhancing the skills of thousands of seafarers in the Republic of the Philippines.

As an archipelago with 7,100 islands and 220-million hectares of territorial waters, marine science in the Philippines plays a significant role in the country's development.

The agreement, or implementing protocol, being signed today by Nova Scotia, the Philippines and the Nova Scotia Oceans Initiative is expected to generate opportunities for collaborative activities between Philippine and Nova Scotian partners. There will be intensive activity during the first five years, followed by from 10 to 15 years of continuing opportunity, including a proposed Asian Maritime University in the Philippines.

Education Minister Jane Purves said about 200,000 Philippine seafarers work on more than a fourth of international ocean-going fleets, contributing the second-largest source of foreign capital to the Philippine economy.

"No other province -- no other country -- has an agreement like this with the Philippines," said Ms. Purves. "We look forward to working with Philippine partners and friends who, like us, have a proud maritime history and historic seagoing traditions. I also congratulate everyone involved in the Nova Scotia Oceans Initiative for their leadership that has helped attract this international attention."

Areas of training include maritime navigation and engineering technology, marine environment protection, maritime safety, geographic information systems and geomatics. The agreement creates a joint Philippine-Nova Scotia consortium, including maritime education and marine science representatives, to plan details.

The Nova Scotia Oceans Initiative is a partnership among the private sector, universities colleges and public research institutions involved in ocean industries. On the education side, this includes the Nova Scotia Community College's Centre of Geographic Sciences in Lawrencetown and the Nautical Institute in Port Hawkesbury, the Nova Scotia School of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Pictou, the Canadian Coast Guard College in Sydney, Dalhousie University and Acadia University's Centre for Estuarine Research.

"This is a big, exciting project that is good for Nova Scotia," said Larry Bell, chair of the oceans initiative. "It shows that successful networking among the private sector, universities and public institutions can help Nova Scotia play a part in the new global economy, as we use our knowledge and superb technologies to build greater skills and wealth for all."

Congressman Dante Liban, chairman of the Committee on Higher Education in the Philippine House of Representatives, and Dr. Ester Garcia, chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education, were on hand to sign the agreement on behalf of the Philippines.

"The Philippines is fortunate to forge a strategic partnership with Nova Scotia. Such a partnership will position Nova Scotia and Canada in Asian maritime affairs and marine sciences," said Mr. Liban.

The Philippine government has made training in maritime and marine education a priority to protect its market share and meet international standards and industry requirements.

The lead partners in the Philippines are the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Transportation and Communications. Additional partners include the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and National Mapping and Resource Information Agency.

While in Nova Scotia, Philippine officials will travel to an open house at the Centre of Geographic Sciences, the Nautical Institute and the Canadian Coast Guard College. They will also attend scientific seminars hosted by the oceans initiative at InNOVACorp.

This project has been developed with assistance from the International Trade and Marketing Plan, funded through the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification. The Agreement is managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Nova Scotia's Department of Economic Development.


NOTE TO EDITORS: The agreement will be signed at 2:30 p.m. today, Nov. 22, in the Red Room of Province House.