By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan
News & Features Services)
The Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Senator Kamran
Michael, has said that the government fully recognized the important role of
our seafarers towards strengthening of economy and the elevation of the Pakistan Marine Academy
He was speaking as the chief guest at the passing out parade
of the PMA in Karachi
on January 3. The ceremony was largely attended, among others, by Chairman
PNSC, Siddique Memon, Chairman KPT, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Azhar Hayat, and
Chairman Port Qasim Authority, Agha Jan Akhtar,
On the occasion, the Minister announced a gold medal from
his Ministry to be awarded to cadets and evinced his ministry’s interest to
transform PMA) into a Marine University, to be the first of its
kind in the region and pledged to take up this matter at all
related levels.
He said that the PMA
University
Senator Kamran Michael stressed the need for strengthening
technical institutions adding that greater attention will be paid to marine
education and training.
He appreciated the progress made by the PMA in producing
quality Merchant Marine Officers to serve the merchant fleet and in providing
expertise in other disciplines of maritime sector. He noted that after
undergoing two years of academic, professional and physical training the
passing out cadets are awarded BSc Degree in Maritime Studies by Karachi University
The Federal Minister felt proud by the accomplishments of
the PMA cadets having participated in the International Maritime Conference for
the first time held at the Bahria
University
Earlier on, in his welcome address Commandant PMA, Commodore
(Rtd) Rana Aslam, informed the Minister about the computerization of exams as
well as induction system of cadets.
Later, Senator Kamran Michael awarded Sword of Honour and
medals to the top performers of the passing out cadets.
