The PTC Talent Acquisition Group (TAG) and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) recently celebrated a successful partnership with a market research presentation on February 6, 2025, at First Maritime Place. The event showcased research by second-year students from UST’s College of Commerce and Business Administration, focusing on Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTCI) and Lifelinks International Resources Inc. This initiative marked UST’s first foray into maritime market research, offering students real-world industry experience.

Dr. Antonio E. Etrata Jr., Program Chair of UST CCBA’s Marketing Management Department, expressed his gratitude for the partnership, noting that PTC was UST’s first maritime research partner and highlighting the legacy of UST alumnus Ambassador Carlos Salinas. Capt. Ronald Enrile, PTC Senior Adviser for the Shipping Cluster and Head of TAG, commended the students’ professionalism, stating that their research offered valuable industry insights. Capt. Pol Winston Haboc, Head of PTC Shipping’s Education and Training Team, emphasized how the students’ fresh perspectives provided an unbiased view of the maritime sector.

The event also recognized UST’s recent Agora Marketing Education of the Year Award from the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA), with Dr. Etrata honored as Agora Marketing Educator of the Year.

This collaboration underscored the value of industry-academic partnerships, with both PTC and UST eager to explore further initiatives, including the potential introduction of a maritime program.