Dr. Malini V Shankar is the Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Maritime University, a Central University under the aegis of the MoPSW (Ministry of Shipping, Ports & Waterways) with its headquarters in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. A career bureaucrat belonging to the 1984 batch of the Indian Administrative Service, she has had an illustrious career spanning over three and a half decades. Her last assignment was that of Director General Shipping, on the rank and pay of Secretary to Government of India. She obtained her doctoral degree in Institutional Economics from IIT Madras and a Management degree from the Asian Institute of Management, Manila, The Philippines. A large part of her career at the senior level has been spent in the water sector (municipal, irrigation, environment), and economic sectors (power, commerce and industry, shipping). She has been a recipient of several academic awards. In recognition of her professional achievements, she has been invited by academic and professional organizations to contribute to policy making and represented India in international fora.

Indian Maritime University Chennai

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

"A chance to develop confident leaders and curious researchers"

I have been an administrator, and not a career educationalist. I have always believed that the strength of a nation lies in the human capital and hence my interest in the sector. This is a golden opportunity to help mould young minds into confident leaders and curious researchers.

What is your philosophy of leadership?

"Leaders are capable at every level of being a role model and empowering others”

I believe that a good leader is one who empowers and enables others – at every level, be it a student, faculty or staff. The leader always enables his/her teammates in reaching their potential. To be an understanding leader, one must be a patient listener first.

What can an inbound student gain from studying here in your institute?

"Our students gain specialized knowledge and opportunities to interact with key maritime leaders"

The Indian Maritime University is focussed on research, education and training in the maritime sector. As such, our students gain specialised knowledge of the sector and have opportunities to interact with key leaders in the maritime field. Secondly, this region witnesses the highest growth in trade and shipping, and it is exciting to be part of this development. Finally, studying in India will enable a foreign student to deal with cross-cultural issues and build networks that will serve him/her well in the future. 

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What would you like people to know about your university they may not know?

“Special reservation for candidates belonging to the north-eastern states, J&K, A&N island and Lakshadweep”

Apart from the flagship technical programmes such as B.Sc. (Nautical Science) and B.Tech. (Marine Engineering), B.Tech. (Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering), we offer other programs as well. These include BBA, MBA, M.Tech., M.S (by research) and Ph.D. programmes. Additionally, IMU has a special reservation for candidates belonging to the 8 north-eastern states (40 seats), Jammu and Kashmir (10 seats), Lakshadweep (10 seats) and AandN Island (7 seats).

What do you see as the University’s greatest strengths?

“IMU is the preferred choice for students wishing to enter the merchant navy”

  • IMU was created in 2008 by merging 7 reputed legacy institutes – 4 Maritime Training Institutes, 2 Professional Training Institutes for Ports and 1 Research Organisation. This merger has endowed IMU with strong pedagogical, research and training capabilities.
  • IMU is the most preferred choice for students desiring to pursue a career in the merchant navy and we attract students from the length and breadth of the country.
  • Under the Maritime India Vision 2030 of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, IMU is poised to play a pivotal role. The goal is to make India a top seafaring nation with world-class education, training and research in the maritime sector. 
  • We have a dedicated group of faculty and staff with a mission to make IMU one of the leading maritime universities in the world.

What are some of the biggest challenges for the higher education sector currently?

“Lack of focus on conceptual learning and critical thinking”

In general, and not limited to the sector or to IMU, there tends to be an overemphasis on bookish knowledge, rote learning, examinations and marks. We need to stress the importance of conceptual learning. Critical thinking and analysis, as well as clarity and presentation, are areas I would like to see improved. Leaders of the future must possess these qualities.

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What are some plans that you’re currently designing for the University international affairs?

“Implementation of DASA Scheme and several MoU’s with prominent institutes”

  • IMU allows admission of foreign students under the Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) Scheme of the Ministry of Education.
  • The University has entered into a number of MoUs with international educational institutes and governmental organisations for academic and research collaboration. 
  • In the next 2-3 years, we plan to institute student and faculty exchange programmes under those MoUs.
  • IMU plans to engage foreign national faculty under the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) scheme or a similar scheme instituted by IMU. 
  • This will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and allow students to benefit from the experience of reputed international Faculty.

How do you tend to establish a healthy environment in your institution?

"Regular engagement with students and faculty"

The maritime programmes are residential and regimented in nature. Discipline and team spirit are inculcated in cadets from Day 1. In order to understand their grievances and needs, students, faculty, and staff participate in regular formal and informal interactions. There is a grievance system in place at IMU so that employees and students can resolve their concerns online.