THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 25, 2026
In a landmark boost to India’s blue economy ambitions, the School of
Maritime Studies (SoMS) at Centurion University has been designated a Global
Centre of Excellence, becoming the first institution in Southeast Asia and only
the second worldwide to receive the distinction from the maritime sector’s two
foremost professional bodies.
The rare accreditation is a joint initiative of The Nautical Institute
and Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology, widely regarded as
the global gold standard for nautical science and marine engineering. The
historic recognition was inaugurated on Tuesday by Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister
of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The honour signals a decisive shift in India’s maritime trajectory — from
being primarily a supplier of seafaring manpower to emerging as a global hub
for advanced maritime education, research and leadership. The “Certificate of
Excellence” is awarded only to institutions that demonstrate outstanding
standards in training future maritime professionals and upholding the highest
benchmarks in safety, technology and operational competence.
“This recognition places Centurion
University at the forefront of the global maritime map,” said Shantanu Thakur.
“It reinforces India’s commitment to producing world-class maritime
professionals who will lead the future of global trade,” he added.
Centurion University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Supriya Pattanayk described the
achievement as a defining milestone for the university. “Out of our 17
specialized schools, SoMS has blazed a trail. Achieving this global gold
standard is a testament to the passion and dedication required to be truly
world-class,” she said.
By joining an elite global tier with only one other institution, Centurion
University has not only secured international validation of its training
ecosystem but also established regional leadership, leapfrogging traditional
maritime education hubs. The dual endorsement from IMarEST and The Nautical
Institute ensures that its graduates meet the most rigorous technical,
operational and safety standards demanded by the global shipping industry.
The ceremony was attended by Prof. Mukti Mishra,
President of Centurion University; Capt. Vikas Patra, Director of SoMS and
Group Managing Director of Seaborne Ship Management; Prof. (Dr.) Ajaya Kumar
Nayak, Pro-Vice-Chancellor; along with faculty members and students.
