Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, on Tuesday, met the secretary of the ministry of ports and shipping, TK Ramachandran, and urged the establishment of a Maritime University in Mangaluru. He proposed that the university be named after Rani Abbakka as a tribute to the warrior queen who fought valiantly in safeguarding the coast of Bharat.“The Rani Abbakka Maritime University will both pay homage to an iconic national figure and create a future-ready workforce trained in marine engineering, maritime law, port and terminal management, and maritime informatics,” said Captain Chowta.In a letter seeking the same, he highlighted that the establishment of the university aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision and the nation’s strategic goal to emerge as a global maritime hub. Drawing attention to Mangaluru’s geographic advantages, historical significance, and proximity to major ports and educational institutions, Captain Chowta said it would make it an ideal location for such an institution.Chowta also met Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi on Wednesday to formally request the establishment of a National Maritime University in Mangaluru and proposed to name it after Rani Abbakka. He proposed that the university offer a wide range of programmes, including BTech, BSc, BBA, MTech, MBA, MSc, and diplomas, catering to the skill development, research, and policy innovation needs of India’s maritime advancement.The proposal also seeks the active participation of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), which is celebrating its golden jubilee this year, in commissioning a detailed project report (DPR). Some of the requests made to the ministry are the constitution of an expert committee to develop the university framework and the initiation of inter-ministerial consultations for stakeholder alignment.
