Partnership Overview
MLA College, a UK higher‑education institution specialising in maritime, environmental and sustainability studies, and the Institute of Marine Engineers (India) (IMEI) formalised a strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding during Singapore Maritime Week 2026. The partnership was publicly launched on 2 July 2026 at a reception held at The Lalit, Mumbai, attended by approximately 150 senior leaders from government, the maritime industry, higher‑education and business sectors.
Attendees and Endorsements
Key participants included Shri Killi Mohana Rao, Chief Surveyor of the Directorate General of Shipping; Sanjeev Mehra, Chairman of IMEI; Mohan Singh Pal, Director (METC) of IMEI; Krishnan Subramaniam, Chief Learning Officer of Transworld Academy of Excellence and International Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers; as well as senior representatives from Maersk, Maersk Tankers, The Shipping Corporation of India, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Anglo Eastern Ship Management, Indian Register of Shipping and KPMG. Their presence underscored broad industry support for enhanced maritime education and professional development in India.
Programme Offering
The collaboration introduces three fully online UK postgraduate programmes that Indian maritime professionals can enrol in without relocating abroad:
1. MSc Engineering for Marine Professionals
2. MSc Sustainable Maritime Operations – featuring specialist modules on Maritime Decarbonisation and Social Sustainability in the Maritime Industry.
3. MBA Maritime Operations
All programmes are validated by the University of Plymouth and are designed for engineers preparing for or beyond their First Engineer and Chief Engineer Certificates of Competency. The curricula combine technical depth with leadership, strategic thinking and management training, addressing the sector’s shift toward decarbonisation, digitalisation and evolving regulatory frameworks.
Strategic Rationale
Both organisations highlighted the growing demand for highly skilled maritime talent as India expands its ports, logistics infrastructure, green‑shipping initiatives and maritime innovation. By leveraging MLA College’s flexible, fully online delivery model and IMEI’s extensive professional network, the partnership aims to strengthen workforce capability, support long‑term industry growth and deepen UK‑India educational collaboration.
Institutional Background
MLA College operates under GEDU Global Education, an international education group active in 15 countries with a student community exceeding 85,000. GEDU’s portfolio spans K‑12 to postgraduate degrees, apprenticeships and language schools. MLA College’s programmes are industry‑focused, delivered entirely online, and have attracted learners from more than 75 countries.
Statements from Leaders
Prof. Mohammad Dastbaz, Principal and CEO of MLA College, stated that India’s maritime influence will continue to rise and that the partnership makes internationally recognised UK postgraduate education more accessible to experienced professionals, while fostering leadership, innovation and sustainability capabilities. Kaushik Seal, President of IMEI, described the collaboration as a milestone for the Indian maritime education landscape, creating new opportunities for marine engineers to advance academically without leaving employment.
Outlook
The partnership establishes a framework for ongoing collaboration in maritime education, professional development, academic engagement, research and knowledge exchange, positioning both entities to contribute to the development of the next generation of maritime leaders and to support India’s growing role in the global shipping economy.