Mumbai: Anglo-Eastern's Group ceo Peter Cremers oversaw proceedings at the official inauguration of the new $8m Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy in Karjat, on the outskirts of Mumbai. "We now think it's time to give back and by setting up this Maritime Academy, which will bring us Cadets straight from High School, it is the first step," he said addressing the 300 guests, which included representatives from the Indian Government and a large number of national and international shipping dignitaries.
Set on 53 acres, in Karjat, the new institute took its first batch of 120 students last year, enrolling them in a first-year nautical science course. A graduate mechanical engineering course, a one-year curriculum to convert mechanical engineers into marine engineers, is set to commence with 40 students.
At present all the students enrolled will be offered employment in the Anglo-Eastern fleet and future development will see a second campus develop, which will increase the potential number of students to 1,000; by this time the Company hopes to have the campus open to all students, not only exclusive to Anglo-Eastern. Today, the Company employs in excess of 8,000 Indian seafarers, approximately 80% of its crew requirement, for its fleet of 315.
Cremers stated, "We still have a job to do - there's a long way to go: this institution has to become one of the standard bearers of Nautical Education in India - that's the goal - and we will see to it that this happens. Our first batch of students is close to graduating but we need help to complete the second campus. The planning and designs have been done and we are now actively seeking the financial support of our owners. Our clients have been very supportive insofar as having cadets on board our ships and we hope they will continue to do so, by supporting our Maritime Academy."
Cremers explained that he felt the emphasis on training and cadets was becoming more of an industry trend as owners were realizing that the shortage of quality officers would not be going away in the near future. Consequently, any investment in this area should be seen as a long-term strategy.
Urging shipowners to provide more places for cadets, he said, "An ideal situation would be to have our own training ship for 20 cadets. Help us to get a training ship for 20 cadets, and we will manage it free of charge". [08/02/10]
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