The DMMA College of Southern Philippines, formerly known as the Davao Merchant Marine Academy (DMMA), was founded in October 1993. Owned by individuals with expertise in seafaring and education, the institution was established with the vision of positioning the Philippines as a leading global hub for imparting theoretical knowledge, practical training, assessment and noble values related to maritime activities. Since its inception, the College has undergone a remarkable transformation.
The College’s Maritime Programs have become a symbol of excellence in educating and training seafarers, not only in Davao City but across the entire Philippines. This achievement underscores the College’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality maritime education.
Nevertheless, the DMMA College of Southern Philippines doesn’t limit itself to maritime education alone. In addition to its BS Marine Transportation and BS Marine Engineering programs, it has introduced several new offerings. Starting from the 1994-1995 academic year, it began offering BS Customs Administration and Associate in Hotel and Restaurant Management (now known as Hotel and Restaurant Services). In June 1997, the College added BS Hotel and Restaurant Management (currently referred to as BS Hospitality Management) to its list of allied programs. In June 2022, the school expanded its course offerings further by introducing the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management. DMMA has also established training and assessment centers for Maritime and Culinary programs.
The DMMA College of Southern Philippines has earned a strong reputation within the maritime industry. Its world-class status was officially recognized when the international accreditation body for maritime institutions, Det Norske Veritas (DNV), granted its seal of excellence to DMMA in July 1999. To this day, DMMA maintains DNV certification under ISO 9001:2015.
Currently, the DMMA College of Southern Philippines is a proud member of the Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI) and the Philippine Association of Maritime Training Centers, Inc. (PAMTCI).
During the 2006-2007 academic year, the College once again proved its world-class standing in maritime education by obtaining accreditation from the Norwegian Shipowners Association (NSA) for the NSA Philippine Cadetship Program. This scholarship program aims to serve as a model for promoting quality education in the Philippines in compliance with STCW requirements, as amended. As a model program, it has introduced significant changes that enhance the maritime education system in the Philippines and boost confidence among stakeholders. The program has demonstrated that Filipino seafarers, given the opportunity and adequate resources, can excel and prove their competence in the maritime industry. Additionally, DMMA received support from the Development Bank of the Philippines through the DBP – Resources for Inclusive and Sustainable Education (RISE) as part of its corporate social responsibility. This initiative aims to offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged but deserving students enrolled in BSMT and BSMarE programs. DMMA is dedicated to continuous improvement in education and training, and its growth has been nothing short of remarkable. With unwavering determination, the institution’s leadership is committed to ensuring that DMMA remains a prominent name in the field of education and training in the future.
