Pakistan Marine Academy to be upgraded as Maritime University
Pakistan Times National News Desk

KARACHI: Pakistan Marine Academy will be upgraded to Maritime University in near future. This was stated by Minister for Ports and Shipping, Senator Babar Khan Ghouri, while speaking as chief guest at the passing out parade at Pakistan Marine Academy here Tuesday.

He said that the Prime Minister is keen to initiate this project at the earliest.

The Minister pointed out that the International Maritime Organisation has assured technical support for which a meeting is scheduled at the IMO Headquarter next week.

PMA Cadets

The government is well aware of the employment problems of the PMA Cadets and will make all out efforts to accommodate the marine academy Graduates in the PNSC and other shipping lines with the help of private sector.

About difficulties of cadets in need of financial assistance, the Minister stated that the government would arrange interest-free loans for deserving individuals.

He also reiterated the resolve of the government to revolve the shipping sector with full involvement and support from the private sector.

Senator Babar Ghouri indicated that there would be encouraging announcements about it in near future.

Meanwhile, the Minister reviewed the passing out parade and took the salute and inspected the passing out term.

The Commandant

Welcoming the chief guest, the Commandant of the Academy, Commodore Imran Ansari, highlighted the achievements of the Pakistan Marine Academy in training human resource for the maritime industry.

He informed that Marine Academy had attained international recognition as a regional branch of World Maritime University which operates under the sponsorship of the IMO.

He elaborated that the marine academy is striving to achieve recognition of other institutions of higher learning in the country and abroad in order to broaden its intellectual base.

Negotiations for this purpose are in advanced stages with the NED University of Engineering and Technology and Institute of Business Administration Karachi.

The Commandant requested the Minister for his support for employment of PMA cadets on Pakistani and foreign flag carriers.

The Commandant thanked the Pakistan Navy, PNSC, Karachi University and the NED University for their support. In the end the smartly turned out cadets marched past the saluting dias.●