Gandhinagar: In a significant milestone for India’s maritime education sector, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel addressed the first convocation ceremony of Gujarat Maritime University (GMU), highlighting India’s growing global stature as a provider of trained maritime professionals and the critical role Gujarat plays in advancing the maritime economy.
The Chief Minister emphasized that India is fast emerging as a leading talent supplier in the maritime domain, with Gujarat Maritime University poised to be a central pillar in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of building a world-class maritime workforce.
250 Students Graduate; 13 Honoured with Gold Medals
A total of 250 students received their degrees during the ceremony – 188 from the LLM programme and 62 from the MBA programme. In recognition of outstanding academic achievement, 13 students, including 8 women, were awarded Gold Medals by the Chief Minister.
Congratulating the graduates, CM Patel urged them to serve as ambassadors of India’s maritime resurgence and to contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, while upholding the nation’s rich maritime heritage.
Maritime Heritage and Modern Innovation Go Hand-in-Hand
Referring to Gujarat’s historical ties to the sea, CM Patel recalled the 4,000-year-old port of Lothal and highlighted the National Maritime Heritage Complex being developed there. He described it as a “living example of the mantra ‘Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi’,” reflecting a balanced approach to preserving history while fostering modern growth.
He also lauded transformational initiatives like PM Gati Shakti, Sagarmala, and the Blue Economy Mission, which have helped unlock the full potential of India’s ports, logistics, and coastal infrastructure over the past decade.
Global Collaborations and Research Define GMU’s Academic Impact
Delivering the welcome address, Chief Secretary and GMU President Shri Pankaj Joshi said the university has rapidly emerged as a national leader in maritime education through academic innovation and global partnerships.
He cited GMU’s collaborations with key international organisations such as–
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- International Group of P&I Clubs
- International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN)
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Joshi also noted that the university has hosted several global conferences, signed over 20 MoUs, and provided statewide training infrastructure.
Over 100 research papers by GMU students and faculty have been published in reputed academic journals. Notably, GMU was recognized as “Maritime Capacity Building Champion in India” by the Star Awards 2024.
Leadership Presence at the Convocation
The convocation ceremony was attended by senior state government officials and dignitaries, including-
Mr M.K. Das, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM
Ms Jayanti Ravi, Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue Department
Mr R.C. Meena, Principal Secretary, Ports and Transport
Mr Rajkumar Beniwal, CEO, Gujarat Maritime Board
Also present were deans, professors, academicians, and family members of graduating students.
Dr. S. Shanthakumar, In-charge Dean of GMU, presented the university’s annual report, and Dr. Chirag Patel, In-charge Registrar, delivered the vote of thanks.
