VTU, Belgaum Starts A Course In Marine Engineering

It is a very first time in Karnataka where VTU- Vishveshwaraya Technology University will be introducing a new four-year Undergraduate Course in 'Marine Engineering'. It is said to take its shape right from this session, 2012-13.

What is Marine Engineering : It refers to research conducted in oceans and coastal or inland waters. It deals with construction and maintenance of ships and other sailing boats and vessels. After the session completes the four year Marine Engineering course and a four-modular course successfully, the student will be eligible to be appointed as a Junior Engineer on Merchant Ships.

Well, Job opportunities are also available as, after the completion of the stipulated period on ships and after passing the required competency Examination Examination conducted by the Directorate General of Shipping, Govt of India or Marine Administration of other Governments, the Engineering becomes a Chief Engineer of a ship.

The course will be offered at Mangalore Marine College and 60 students will be admitted. The programme has been approved by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Mumbai and is expected to get a stamp of approval from the AICET- All India Council For Technical Education.

It is the first new engineering course which has been planned to introduce this year, later Railway Engineering and Aerospace Engineering may be introduced in the upcoming academic year. Of the total intake mentioned above, 27 seats will be offered through KEA and the rest will be made available under the management quota, according to abdul Razal, Public Relations Officer (PRO), MMC.

The college will follow the syllabus adopted by the Indian Maritime University, Visakhapatnam. VTU has just made some small changes. Half of the syllabus will be the Mechanical Engineering component, the rest will be knowledge of Ships.

Students will have to attend eight examinations from the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping during the course. In addition to this VTU shall be conducting Semester wise examinations.