Marine academy to get degree status, funds

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has said the government is taking concrete steps to strengthen marine education, promote ocean awareness and actively engage youth in sustainable ocean stewardship.

In a conversation with The Express Tribune during his visit to the Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA) in Karachi, the minister emphasised that understanding oceans is essential for climate resilience, sustainable development and the long?term health of maritime resources.

"Education empowers young people to make informed decisions and play an active role in marine conservation and the blue economy," Chaudhry said. He added that an informed and engaged youth population is essential for promoting sustainable use of marine resources, protecting fragile ocean ecosystems and contributing to long?term economic growth.

The minister highlighted the importance of aligning marine education with UN Sustainable Development Goal 4.7, which focuses on promoting education for sustainable development. This includes integrating knowledge of marine ecosystems, conservation practices and human?ocean interactions into academic curricula and teacher training.

As part of these efforts, Chaudhry said a Maritime Educational Endowment Fund is being established to provide scholarships for students pursuing maritime studies, with the goal of building a skilled and environmentally conscious workforce for the country's maritime sector.

During his visit, the minister announced that a bill to grant degree?awarding status to the academy will soon be presented before the National Assembly, marking a significant step towards strengthening Pakistan's maritime education framework. Chaudhry said consultations with all relevant stakeholders had been completed regarding the proposed upgrade.

Acting Commandant Muhammad Asif Farooq briefed the minister on ongoing institutional developments and training initiatives. Farooq highlighted measures undertaken under the prime minister's maritime sector reform initiative. He said personnel from Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority and Gwadar Port Authority had received specialised training, including basic firefighting and Navi?Trainer Professional courses conducted in November 2025. He further noted that 14 instructors at the academy had become qualified trainers, enhancing the institution's training capacity.

The acting commandant also said that phase?one development projects at the academy would receive financial support amounting to Rs421 million through corporate social responsibility contributions from Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation.

Emphasising inclusivity, Chaudhry directed the academy to expand its training programmes to students from Balochistan. He added that assistance would also be sought from the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission and the Benazir Income Support Programme to support the initiative.