Narottam Morarjee Institute of Shipping (NMIS) said to be a shipping institute "of the industry, by the industry and for the industry," has blazed a trail since its inception on 3rd January, 1969 achieving several milestones and is now well saddled as a leading brand in the maritime training field. Besides, its chief role of training personnel for the commercial operations of shipping it has become the industry's monumental edifice also playing the significant role of according recognition to excellence and quality, by honoring outstanding individuals for their dedicated commitment for the continued well-being of the industry.
During its 35th Convocation and prize distribution ceremony held last weekend, besides the usual practice of doling out certificates and giving away various prizes to the successful candidates, it made a major departure from the traditional custom by bestowing for the first time ever 'The NMIS Life Time Achievement Award' to two personalities for their sustained and outstanding contribution to Indian maritime sector. They were Dr. K. V. Hariharan and the Late Mr. S. Venkiteswaran both of who helped to raise the profile of the industry through their ceaseless and dedicated service to the trade in their particular line of work. Three others were also felicitated with 'The NMIS Honorary Fellowship'. These included Capt. (Prof) P. S. Vanchiswar, Mr R. L. Pai and Capt. Avinash Batra.
Speaking on the occasion, Capt M. M. Saggi, Director of NMIS and former Nautical Advisor to the government of India said, "It is not that we are honoring these luminaries, but they are honoring the institution."He also said that the institute planned to put all study material on-line and conduct examinations on-line within the next two years in order to facilitate students spread worldwide to undertake the exams.
The institute was set up under the joint auspices of the Ministry of Shipping and the Indian Shipping industry. After independence there was no organized attempt in the country to train personnel for the commercial operations of shipping. Persons seeking professional qualifications in ship broking used to appear for examinations conducted annually by foreign institutions. Thus, there was a dire need for an Indian Institution for training of personnel on commercial aspects and management of shipping particularly in the wake of expansion of Indian Merchant Marine and Shipping activities in the country.
The National Shipping Board which is a high level advisory body set up under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 recommended to the Government of India for the establishment of an autonomous institution for training personnel and conducting examinations on the commercial aspects of shipping and for helping the shipping industry by undertaking necessary research into various problems facing the industry. The government accepted this recommendation. Accordingly the institute was formed.
Each year nearly 4,000 students graduate from the institute and are immediately picked up by leading maritime and logistic companies and other allied fields for placement in their organization. The institute conducts coaching classes at three locations in Mumbai. Those outside the city are offered courses through correspondence. Besides, there are local study centers at Ahmedabad, Gandhidham & Kochi and examination are held in various metros of the country as well as at Dubai. The institute's courses have acquired international repute and they are validated by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers at London. The London institute also gives exemptions in three subjects of the seven subjects they offer for their examinations to the candidates who have successfully completed the course from this institute.
Arun Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) who presided over the ceremony sang the praises of NMIS. Speaking about those who have passed out of the institute stated, "These are all industry experts and like us have helped in sharing their knowledge in commercial shipping. I myself is a product of the institute and am indebted to the institute and give all credit to its efforts and activities. On the part of the SCI we will give all support and cooperation."
He informed that there are three categories of candidates who enroll with the institute. "Those who know nothing and want to learn the ABC of shipping; or those like us who sailed and had some knowledge of shipping; and those who are into other fields such as accountancy, production, etc., but want to learn about commercial shipping."