Indian Maritime University Awards Degrees to 1,993 Students at 11th Convocation

The Indian Maritime University (IMU) held its 11th convocation at its headquarters in Chennai, recognising the academic achievements of students from its campuses and affiliated institutes. The ceremony highlighted the university's role in developing skilled professionals for India's shipping, port operations and maritime logistics sectors.

A total of 1,993 students were reported to have graduated at the ceremony, including 1,605 seafarers. The event was attended by former IMU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Malini Shankar and Rajya Sabha MP L. K. Sudhish, alongside university officials, faculty members and representatives of the maritime industry.

The university also recognised academic excellence by awarding 13 gold medals and 11 silver medals. The convocation marked an important milestone for graduates preparing to enter professional careers or advance their roles across the maritime sector.

IMU Expands Maritime Innovation Through Strategic Partnerships

Alongside the convocation, IMU highlighted its efforts to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and institutional collaboration through memoranda of understanding (MoUs).

The university signed an MoU with the Maritime India Foundation (MIF) to establish a Maritime Innovation Hub under the Sagarmala Startup and Innovation Initiative (S2I2) of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The initiative aims to encourage innovation and support the development of startups in the maritime sector.

MIF has also signed agreements with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay to establish Maritime Innovation Hubs.

Separately, IMU has entered into collaborations with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Nord University in Norway. These partnerships are intended to broaden institutional engagement and create opportunities for cooperation in India and internationally.

According to the university's announcement, IMU has a total of 63 MoUs, comprising 18 international and 45 national agreements. During the 2025–26 academic year, the university reported signing 19 international and 11 national MoUs.

Indian Maritime University Introduces 22 Value-Added Programmes

IMU is also working to expand its academic offerings in response to changing industry requirements and student interests.

Speaking about the university's development, Pro Vice-Chancellor Rajoo Balaji highlighted the introduction of 22 new value-added programmes alongside its longer-duration courses. These initiatives are intended to broaden students' learning opportunities and strengthen their exposure to emerging areas of maritime education.

Balaji also pointed to an increase in admission enquiries, indicating growing interest in the university's programmes. He said IMU had secured one of the top two positions in education surveys over the preceding two years.

The university's emphasis on additional programmes and industry collaboration reflects the importance of developing specialised skills for an evolving maritime ecosystem.

IMU Supports India's Maritime Development Goals

India's maritime sector is undergoing development under initiatives including Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047. These programmes aim to strengthen the country's maritime capabilities and support its ambitions in shipping, ports, logistics and related activities.

In this context, IMU contributes through maritime education, professional training and research. Its network includes campuses in Chennai, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Visakhapatnam, alongside 21 affiliated institutes, according to the university's supplied profile.

The institution's academic programmes cover different aspects of the maritime sector, helping prepare students for careers in shipping, port management, maritime logistics and associated fields.

By expanding its academic portfolio and strengthening collaborations with industry and other institutions, IMU aims to connect education with the sector's changing workforce requirements.

About Indian Maritime University

Indian Maritime University is a Central University headquartered in Chennai and operates under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. Established on November 14, 2008, it was created to bring maritime education, training and research under a unified university structure.

IMU offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes through its campuses and affiliated institutes. Its academic focus includes developing professional capabilities and supporting research across India's maritime sector.

The university's 11th convocation celebrated the achievements of its graduating students while highlighting its wider efforts to promote maritime innovation, academic development and collaboration with national and international institutions.