Key Takeaways
- Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry submitted a summary to the prime minister for in-principle approval.
- The upgrade aims to modernize maritime education and align it with international standards.
- The initiative seeks to produce highly qualified seafarers and maritime professionals.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has taken a significant step towards upgrading the Pakistan Marine Academy into a degree-awarding institution by submitting a summary to the prime minister for in-principle approval. In a statement, Chaudhry highlighted that consultations with all relevant stakeholders have already been completed and procedural formalities fulfilled.
According to Chaudhry, following the PM’s in-principle approval, the summary will be forwarded to the Ministry of Law for legal vetting before being placed before the federal cabinet for final approval. The minister emphasized that this proposed upgrade is part of the government's broader agenda to modernize the maritime sector and bring maritime education in line with international standards.
Chaudhry further stated that discussions are underway with leading international maritime institutions to introduce dual degree programmes aimed at providing Pakistani cadets with globally recognized academic qualifications. He said, 'The initiative aims to enhance academic standards, strengthen international collaboration, equip cadets with globally recognized qualifications, and improve career opportunities in the maritime sector.'
The minister noted that granting degree-awarding status to the Pakistan Marine Academy would significantly improve the quality of maritime education, strengthen academic and professional training, and produce highly qualified seafarers and maritime professionals capable of meeting the evolving needs of the national and global maritime industry. Chaudhry added, 'The proposed transformation is a landmark reform that will strengthen the maritime education framework and help build a globally competitive maritime workforce.'
Chaudhry also highlighted the broader benefits of this initiative, stating that it would expand educational and career opportunities for Pakistani students while supporting the country's long-term blue economy objectives by developing a skilled workforce for the shipping, ports, and logistics sectors. He said, 'Describing the proposed transformation as a landmark reform, he noted it would strengthen maritime education framework and help build a globally competitive maritime workforce.'
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in human resource development to ensure the sustainable growth of the country's maritime sector.
The initiative aims to enhance academic standards, strengthen international collaboration, equip cadets with globally recognized qualifications, and improve career opportunities in the maritime sector.
Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs
The proposed transformation is a landmark reform that will strengthen the maritime education framework and help build a globally competitive maritime workforce.
Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs
