On February 12 this year, JNPT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with APEC-Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center (APEC) for setting up a world class port training institute in India – said to be the first of its kind in the country..
On February 12 this year, JNPT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with APEC-Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center (APEC) for setting up a world class port training institute in India – said to be the first of its kind in the country..
The MoU comes on the heels of a drawn out effort by the central government to set up a quality training institute for port professionals, in view of the enormous growth that the port sector is likely to witness in the coming years. The new institute is to be named JNPT APEC Port Training Centre.
APEC is acknowledged by almost every port professional to be akin to the reputed Harvard college for port related courses. Its 15-odd courses on related subjects -- held annually in Antwerp -- are reckoned to be among the best in the world. Gaining admission isn't easy, and the course fees can be quite pricey. In spite of this, India does manage to get around 30 professionals trained at APEC every year. But the high costs involved (fees, travel and stay) ensure that India has not been able to match the 400 odd candidates China sends to APEC annually.
That could have been one of the reasons that prompted the government to set up such a training centre in India, and persuaded APEC to help it achieve this objective. The discussions culminated in the MoU being signed this month.
"A detailed agreement should be signed very soon," says N N Kumar, chairman, JNPT, who has been closely involved during the entire decision making process. "But some things have already been decided. For instance, it has been decided that the campus for this institute will be located at the JNPT port facilities itself. Antwerp will bring in its own trainers initially, and besides training candidates will also participate in a 'train the trainer' programme aimed at developing a core team of professionals in India who could train larger numbers year after year in India itself."
During the first two years, while the institute is being set up, training courses will be conducted every quarter by APEC at predetermined locations in this country. "The first such course will be held at Park Hotel, CBD, an extended suburb of Mumbai, and is expected to enrol around 32 professionals from major and minor ports in India," adds Kumar.
According to the MoU, APEC, headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, "will execute a training needs analysis wherein APEC senior expert(s), in collaboration with the Indian Ministry of Shipping and Ports, will make a thorough analysis in order to identify the needs for training of white collar personnel within the Indian port sector."
The MoU adds that "APEC may develop a training curriculum for Indian ports and ports of the neighbouring countries that may be [trained] in the proposed joint Port Training Centre. This training curriculum will focus on all levels of management (top, middle and junior) and may include visits to Antwerp/Flanders ports. APEC experts will also train potential future Indian trainers." These courses, adds the MoU, will relate to operations, infrastructure development, planning, port management, finance, administration, terminal management, infrastructure maintenance, marine operations, environmental issues, safety, renewable energy, etc. (Concluded)
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