Stakeholders urge Centre to set up Maritime University in Mangaluru
MANGALURU : A proposal to establish a maritime university in Mangaluru is gaining support from regional stakeholders, who seek to leverage coastal Karnataka’s maritime strengths to transform the region into a hub of maritime education, industry, and innovation.
Mooting the proposal, Member of Parliament from Dakshina Kannada, Capt Brijesh Chowta, said the timing was apt since this year marked the 500th birth anniversary of Rani Abbakka (queen of Ullal, in Mangaluru, who fought the Portuguese in the 16th century), as also the 50th year of New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA).
NMPA could be a stakeholder in the maritime university project, he told, since it has the required potential and bandwidth for it. The university could help boost port-led development of the region, he said.
Stating that NMPA is open to collaborating with the MP to approach the Shipping Ministry with a structured proposal, Chairman AV Ramana said the organisation is well-positioned to serve as an institutional anchor.
“We are prepared to contribute domain inputs, provide practical exposure to students, and help shape a curriculum that reflects the operational complexities of India’s western coast,” he said.
Anand Pai, President of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), said Mangaluru’s rich maritime heritage and professional approach to the sector makes it an ideal location for a dedicated maritime university. The industry body is coordinating with Capt Chowta for the project, he said.
Skill pool
Ramana said that while Mangaluru has historically been a centre of education and commerce, it remains under-represented in structured maritime education. The proposed university would help develop academically sound professionals attuned to the practical demands of the maritime sector, he added.
The local and affordable access to maritime education would attract more local youth to the sector, Pai said.
The maritime university would not only serve as a centre for academic excellence but also catalyse innovation and entrepreneurship, he said, adding that it would spur the launch of businesses focused on maritime services and technologies.
The university would ensure a steady pipeline of skilled professionals, thereby attracting more investment and helping establish a vibrant start-up ecosystem in maritime and allied sectors, he said.
Educational hub
The region is home to major educational institutions, and a maritime university in this setting would enable academic progression for students already pursuing technical education, alongside offering specialised, job-oriented maritime programmes. It will foster collaborative opportunities among institutions in the form of joint research, training programmes, and internships, creating a win-win for students, educators, and the regional economy, Pai added.
N Kumar, a shipping expert, said the establishment of a maritime university could lead to employment generation and help meet the human resources requirement in various areas of the sector.
Ramana said NMPA is open to hosting the Centre of Maritime Excellence in the initial phase, with access to its facilities, data systems, and pilot projects. This phase will serve as a proof-of-concept and foundational nucleus for the larger university, which would later evolve through central funding, collaborations, and public-private partnerships, he said.
