EDU.INT
INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
PHILIPPINES
A diplomat drawn from the business sector, the softly spoken and erudite Mr. Salinas is a recognized leader in the Philippine maritime industry.
He is Chairman of the Filipino Shipowners Association, Chairman of the Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTC) Group of Companies and has headed and served on numerous domestic and international maritime associations, educational institutions and government organizations.
PTC was established in 1979, and is today, one of the largest global crew management companies in the Philippines, deploying over 33,000 seafarers annually worldwide.
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The IMO is an intergovernmental organization based on London, UK, which is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.
A Most Distinguished Career
The Ambassador is also the recipient of the “TIMONEL AWARD,” from the Philippine Maritime Industry Authority, the highest award granted to private individuals for services rendered to the government. He has been recognized by the Department of Transportation and Communication for his vision and contributions to the Philippine overseas shipping industry.
His Majesty, King Harald V of Norway, conferred upon Mr. Salinas, the Royal Order of Merit with rank of commander, for his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Philippine-Norwegian maritime relations, the first Filipino and third Asian to receive such a prestigious award.
In 2006, Mr. Salinas received the “Most Inspiring Maritime Service Provider Entrepreneur Award” from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for his outstanding contributions to the development of the Philippine Maritime Industry.
He was a Finalist for the 2009 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In the same year, Lloyd’s Ship Manager of London honoured Mr. Salinas with the Lifetime Achievement and Leadership Excellence Award, for an illustrious career in shipping “dedicated to moulding the Philippine maritime industry and positioning the Philippines and the Filipino seafarer firmly on the world map.”
In 2010, he was conferred the Presidential Medal of Merit by the Republic of the Philippines through President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; a civilian honour for his achievements in the maritime sector that have enhanced the prestige and honour of the Philippines both domestically and internationally.
Education is the Basis for a person’s Future!
Mr. Salinas actively worked with the government on the formulation of a Philippine Merchant Shipping Act, to further transform the country into a major maritime stakeholder and elevate its position of leadership in global shipping.
The Ambassador drew heavily on this experience to deliver a fascinating and detailed briefing, constantly stressing the importance of education quality and international standards to assure transferability and interoperability.
Indeed, the Philippines economy relies heavily on the phenomenon.
Government policies have prioritized quality education, in English, following the US Curriculum with primary and secondary education compulsory. Specific programs have been aimed at poor and destitute families. The result is a high literacy rate and a well educated workforce with highly employable skill sets internationally. Currently remittances from citizens working abroad surpass foreign direct investment the Philippines as a source of foreign currency.
However, that picture is changing. The country is producing 480,000 college graduates annually and is creating a pool of highly educated young people all of whom speak English. This is an attractive emigrant workforce, but it is also attracting new employment phenomenon such as call centres and other outsourcing opportunities.
“Education is the Basis for a person’s Future!” Ambassador Salinas affirms.
It is worthy of note that the Philippines, a nation of some 96million people provides the world with some 380,000 maritime professionals – approximately 30% of professional seafarers globally. This has been achieved by a comprehensive policy to ensure that all maritime training in the Philippines conforms strictly with international standards set by the International Maritime Organization.
Ambassador Salinas has no fear of the Philippines suffering from a “brain drain”. The country is actively involved in what is termed a “technology and capacity transfer economy” which sees Filipinos taking their excellent education and skills abroad, but then returning home with experience and new skills which are passed on in teaching roles.
This phenomenon is especially prevalent in the Maritime and Medical sectors.
On noting that the Assessment Committee of the Intergovernmental Organization EDU currently has no representative from the Philippines, the two diplomats agreed to make inroads into compiling a shortlist of potential candidates.
Secretary-General Le-Vance thanked the Ambassador Salinas for the quality and depth of his briefing and noted that the country that is home to the oldest existing university in Asia must be a source of inspiration and quality insight into educational matters. Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines was established in 1611. It predates the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, Harvard University, founded in 1636.
President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross, Gold Distinction (Datu, Katangiang Ginto), the country´s highest diplomatic honor, on H.E. Carlos C. Salinas, Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, at the awarding ceremony held at the Malacañan Palace.
EDU Secretary-General studies successful Philippines education model for global relevance
H.E. Irving Le-Vance, the Secretary-General of the Intergovernmental Organization EDU, believes passionately in the transferability of educational capacity across borders and the importance of global validation of quality education.
There are few people in the world more qualified to provide the Secretary-General with quality insight in this field than educator, businessman and diplomat H.E. Carlos C. Salinas who is the Philippines Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain and the Principality of Andorra.
Ambassador Salinas also serves on the Board of Governors of the World Maritime University, founded in 1983 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The WMU is a centre of excellence for maritime post-graduate education and research.
