In a significant stride towards fostering maritime industry education and skill development, Dredging Corporation of India Limited, Visakhapatnam, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Chennai (IIT Chennai) and the Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai. This groundbreaking collaboration was unveiled in the prestigious presence of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, the Hon’ble Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, at the Stakeholder’s meet held at C. Subramaniam Auditorium, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The meet was part of the “Implementation of MOUs signed during Global Maritime Summit 2023,” highlighting the collective endeavor to elevate the maritime industry’s educational standards.

This partnership marks a pioneering initiative to launch a National Joint M.Tech Programme on “Dredging Engineering,” aiming to cater to the maritime industry’s escalating demand for highly skilled professionals. This collaborative effort signifies a substantial leap towards nurturing world-class talent, essential for the sector’s advancement. The programme, a shared responsibility between the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras (IITM), & the School of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at IMU, in collaboration with Dredging Corporation of India Limited, is designed to foster cooperation and innovation in the field of dredging engineering.

The National Joint M.Tech Programme is meticulously structured to encompass about 200-210 credits, blending coursework, onboard, and landside training for dredging projects, alongside project work across participating institutions. The curriculum is divided into core (mandatory) and elective courses, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of dredging engineering. The academic journey commences at IITM in Chennai, India, followed by a semester at IMU in Visakhapatnam/Chennai. The third semester is dedicated to practical training at DCIL, with the final semester allocated for the master thesis, offering students the flexibility to select their preferred location.

This MoU exchange is more than an educational initiative; it’s a visionary step towards enhancing research, innovation, and technological advancements in maritime infrastructure and dredging operations. It underscores the aligned commitment of Dredging Corporation of India Limited, IIT Chennai, and IMU, Chennai, to leverage their collective expertise for the maritime industry’s and the nation’s benefit. This collaboration is poised to promote significant advancements in the maritime and dredging sector, setting a new benchmark for educational excellence and industry collaboration.

  C. Subramaniam Auditorium, Dredging Corporation of India, Dredging Engineering, IIT Chennai, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Indian Maritime University, Maritime Industry Education, Maritime Infrastructure, New Delhi, Sarbananda Sonowal, Skill Development