Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Revitalizing Research through Producing Champion Maritime Instructors
1. Introduction:
Dr. Brian Gil S. Sarinas’s innovative best practice emerges from a critical assessment of the academic landscape within the maritime world. It aimed to address a significant gap prevalent among seasoned maritime professionals: the absence of comprehensive research acumen.
This deficiency created a disconnect between practical expertise and scholarly inquiry, compelling Dr. Sarinas to forge an interdisciplinary alliance bridging the divide between general education and maritime professionals.
2. Implementation of the Practice:
Dr. Sarinas orchestrated a groundbreaking practice centered on an innovative convergence of expertise between general education instructors and maritime professionals. This interdisciplinary collaboration, initiated at John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (Arevalo), Inc., aimed to bridge the divide between practical expertise and academic exploration. The implementation unfolded over a span of five years, showcasing a progressive trend in collaborative research initiatives. The careful orchestration of this practice commenced with establishing partnerships, fostering dialogue, and creating a conducive environment for cross-disciplinary engagement.
Within the 2018-2019 academic year, the collaborative endeavors between general education teachers and maritime professionals marked the inception of this transformative alliance. A total of eight research projects were initiated during this period. The subsequent years witnessed a fluctuating yet progressive trend in collaborative efforts. The year 2019-2020 maintained the momentum with two ongoing research studies. This dedication persisted into the 2020-2021 period, resulting in a notable rise, showcasing two joint initiatives. The momentum surged further in the subsequent academic years, with three and four collaborative research projects initiated in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, respectively.
Concurrently, individual research initiatives by professional education instructors showcased a parallel surge in academic contributions. The progression over the same five-year period is noteworthy. There was a steady increase in engagement, resulting in two research projects in 2019-2020, commencing with zero studies in 2018-2019; the subsequent year’s demonstrated substantial growth, with eight and seven initiated studies in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, respectively. The culmination of this journey in 2022-2023 showcased sustained engagement with 3 initiated studies, indicating the enduring commitment of maritime education instructors toward academic contributions.
3. Results of the Practice – Outputs and Outcomes:
Through Dr. Sarinas's pioneering initiative, the collaborative efforts between maritime professional instructors and general education instructors resulted in a significant surge of research initiatives within John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (Arevalo), Inc. This surge marked a distinct paradigm shift in engagement, as evidenced by the notable increase in scholarly endeavors undertaken by both groups. Notably, the increase in research undertakings denoted a transformative trend, indicating heightened academic contributions and active involvement in scholarly pursuits across these traditionally distinct domains.
The noteworthy recognition garnered by numerous maritime professionals as a direct result of Dr. Sarinas's initiative was of particular significance. This acclaim was bestowed upon these professionals without precedent, a testament to the transformative impact of converging the expertise of general education and maritime professional instructors. While no formal assessment was explicitly outlined, the substantial rise in research initiatives served as tangible evidence of the profound outcomes stemming from this interdisciplinary collaboration.
This amalgamation of diverse expertise not only fostered intellectual growth but also served as a catalyst for cultivating a culture of interdisciplinary inquiry and collaboration within the academic institution. Dr. Sarinas's pioneering approach empowered both groups, nurturing an environment where the synergy between practical knowledge and scholarly inquiry propelled an unprecedented surge in academic contributions and engagement. This surge, exemplifying a transformational shift, highlights the enduring impact of Dr. Sarinas's visionary alliance and the profound outcomes derived from this innovative collaboration.
4. Lessons Learnt:
The successful implementation of this interdisciplinary collaboration unveiled invaluable lessons instrumental in fostering such transformative alliances. One pivotal lesson revolved around the effective fusion of diverse expertise—a harmonious blend of maritime professionals' practical acumen and educators' scholarly perspectives. Challenges encountered throughout this interdisciplinary journey were transformed into pivotal learning opportunities. The initial resistance and barriers stemmed from the unfamiliarity of traversing interdisciplinary boundaries, which gradually dissipated through persistent dialogue and mutual understanding.
Dr. Sarinas's steadfast dedication and personalized mentorship played a fundamental role in navigating these challenges. His approach involved fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and guidance in facilitating successful interdisciplinary alliances. Though initially daunting, the challenges metamorphosed into catalysts for intellectual growth, heralding a shift from uncertainty to newfound wisdom.
Moreover, this practice underscored the importance of recalibrating perspectives. Maritime professionals, accustomed to the dynamic nature of the sea, brought a fresh lens to research. Their adaptability and resilience, honed by the unpredictability of the ocean, injected vitality into academic inquiry. This infusion of resilience, adaptability, and practical expertise became catalysts for transformative shifts in the academic landscape. Additionally, the partnership not only facilitated knowledge exchange but also nurtured personal and professional growth, highlighting the broader impact of such interdisciplinary alliances beyond the academic world.
5. Conclusions:
The interdisciplinary collaboration significantly benefited both the maritime professionals and the academic landscape. This best practice revitalized maritime research, fostering innovation and paradigm shifts in knowledge acquisition and dissemination.
Dr. Sarinas's intervention emerges as a "best practice" due to its transformative impact, bridging the gap between practical expertise and scholarly inquiry. Recommendations stemming from this documented practice include advocating for similar interdisciplinary collaborations to enrich academic engagement across diverse fields, ultimately fostering innovation and expanding knowledge frontiers.