06.07.2026
MLA College has officially launched a strategic partnership with the Institute of Marine Engineers (India) (IMEI), marking an important step in expanding access to internationally recognised UK postgraduate education for maritime professionals across India.
The partnership was formally launched at the MLA College India Launch Reception held on 2 July 2026 at The Lalit, Mumbai, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during Singapore Maritime Week 2026.
Bringing together around 150 senior leaders from government, industry, higher education and business, the event highlighted a shared commitment to strengthening professional development and preparing the next generation of maritime leaders.
Representatives from organisations including the Directorate General of Shipping, The Institute of Marine Engineers (India), The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Maersk, The Shipping Corporation of India, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Indian Register of Shipping and KPMG joined the celebrations, reflecting the strong industry support behind the initiative.
Strengthening Maritime Education Through Collaboration
As the maritime industry continues to evolve through sustainability, digitalisation and changing global regulations, the demand for highly skilled professionals continues to grow.
By combining MLA College’s expertise in flexible UK higher education with IMEI’s extensive professional network, this partnership will help experienced maritime professionals access internationally recognised postgraduate qualifications while continuing to work.
Eligible professionals in India can study:
Delivered fully online, the programmes are designed to help professionals build leadership, management and strategic decision making skills alongside their technical expertise.
A Shared Vision
Speaking about the partnership, Professor Mohammad Dastbaz, Principal and CEO of MLA College, said:
“India is one of the world’s most important maritime nations and its influence will only continue to grow. Through our partnership with The Institute of Marine Engineers (India), we are making internationally recognised UK postgraduate education more accessible to experienced maritime professionals while helping develop the leadership, innovation and sustainability capabilities needed for the future of the industry. Together, we look forward to strengthening collaboration between the United Kingdom and India while investing in the people who will shape the future of global shipping.”
Kaushik Seal, President of The Institute of Marine Engineers (India), added:
“This partnership represents a significant milestone for IMEI and our members. By combining IMEI’s strong professional network with MLA College’s internationally recognised UK postgraduate programmes, we are creating new opportunities for Indian marine engineers to continue their professional and academic development while remaining in employment.”
Looking Ahead
This partnership reflects MLA College’s long term commitment to working alongside industry, employers and professional bodies to support the development of future maritime leaders.
By connecting higher education with industry, we aim to make lifelong learning more accessible, strengthen leadership capability across the maritime sector and support professionals throughout every stage of their careers.
We look forward to building on the conversations started in Mumbai and working closely with IMEI and the wider maritime community to create lasting opportunities for collaboration, professional development and innovation.
