Union Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge), Mansukh Mandaviya launched an online exit examination for the seafarers via virtual ceremony on Friday. Seafarers undergoing training in different maritime training institutes under the Directorate General of Shipping can now appear in the exam from the comfort of their homes in these times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his inaugural address, Mandaviya said that India was known for its skilled and quality seafarers. From 154,000 seafarers in 2017, the country had reached 234,000 seafarers in 2019, with the target is to prepare 500,000 seafarers to cater to the growing needs of the Indian and global maritime industry. “It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that the maritime sector can generate an enormous number of jobs for Indian youth and the shipping ministry is putting all its effort to seize these employment opportunities and fulfilling the PM’s vision,” the minister added.
The minister expressed happiness that the training institutions were evolving with the changing times. Mandaviya added that India was the only country in the world to be offering online examination for the seafarers from the comfort of their homes in this pandemic. He said that because of the online exam, the accuracy of the exam and uniformity in the assessment of candidates can be ensured.
The three-tier training system for modular courses comprising of e-learning platforms, virtual classroom by the approved training institutes and end of the course virtual online exit examination is a solution that ensures not only quality and standards of training but also tests the knowledge attained by the seafarers and ensures that the requirement of administration and supervision by the maritime administration is complied with.
Sanjeev Ranjan, Secretary Shipping along with senior officials of the ministry, officers from Directorate General of Shipping, maritime training institutes and seafarers were present in the virtual launching ceremony.