University of Mumbai conducts courses in Maritime studies

With a view to bolstering higher education and research, the Centre of Excellence in Maritime Studies (CEMAS), University of Mumbai, recently invited applications to interdisciplinary programmes in MA (Maritime Studies), MCom (Maritime Studies) and MSc (Maritime Studies) for 2021-22 admissions.

The Centre to attract both Indian and foreign students

 The Centre, set up in 2021, is expected to cover the entire gamut of Maritime Laws, Trade, Commerce, Logistics, Science and Technology, and attract both Indian and foreign students, as it takes cognisance of the borderless realms of marine and Maritime Studies.

Anuradha Majumdar, dean, Faculty of Science and Technology I/C director, Centre of Excellence in Maritime Studies (CEMAS), University of Mumbai says

India is strategically located across the world’s shipping routes, with maritime trade comprising about 95% of India’s trade by volume and over 70% by value. “The Government launched the ambitious Sagarmala Programme in March 2015 that envisions port-led development and growth of logistics-intensive industries.

Dearth of Maritime Studies institutions

There are very few universities in India that are offering programmes and research opportunities in Maritime Studies, which covers a wide span of marine and maritime subjects, including humanities, law, science & technology, and commerce & management, Majumdar says.

At the international level, in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), there is a paucity of academic institutions with an interdisciplinary approach to Maritime Studies. It is to bridge this gap that the CEMAS started the three Maritime Studies programmes, Majumdar adds.

Career prospects

“We expect the graduates of these courses to become an important segment of the maritime ecosystem in times to come, says Cmde Srikant Kesnur, a member of the Board of Management of CEMAS.

As the maritime industry burgeons, one may expect several new avenues to open up. “Further, the multidisciplinary approach to nautical studies will imply that graduates of this programme could, possibly, work across streams and learn on the job building on the core concepts brought out in the curriculum framework, Cmde Kesnur adds.

Course structure

MSc (Maritime Studies) is expected to impart fundamental and applied knowledge in maritime science and allied subjects over 12 courses in areas such as Maritime History Security and Laws, Introduction to Maritime Sciences – Oceanography, Meteorology, Climatology and Ocean Chemistry, Marine Pollution Climate Change, Coastal Hazard, etc with elective subjects that include Artificial Intelligence and Monitoring, Fisheries Management System and Technology, Ship Construction.

MCom (Maritime Studies) will include among others,Overview of Maritime History Security and Laws, apart from Research Methodology, Maritime Finance and Advanced Maritime Trade; with electives encompassing Logistics and Ware Housing, Sustainable Maritime Transport etc.

Master of Arts (Maritime Studies) will cover subjects related to humanities along with few interdisciplinary courses. Overview of Maritime History Security and Laws, Maritime Strategic Environment & Geo Politics in Indian Ocean Region, etc will be taught along with electives in International Laws on Maritime Safety & Security, Maritime Trade Labour and Environmental Laws etc