World maritime university branch likely in India

CHENNAI: The country could soon get a branch of the World Maritime University (WMU). Talks in this regard had already begun with the International Maritime Organisation, Union shipping minister G K Vasan said on Wednesday. Vasan, addressing students at the Indian Maritime University (IMU) as part of its fourth university day, said he had talks with IMO secretary-general Koji Sekimizu.

Efforts to set up a WMU branch in the country is significant as the global shipping industry is facing a slump, with hundreds of maritime graduates finding it difficult to get a job. Chennai-based IMU plans tie-ups with various international maritime universities.

"Despite the recession, there has been a growth of maritime trade in India and institutes like IMU can bridge the gap between supply and demand of sailors and merchant engineers," Vasan said.

Source:The Times Of India