Maritime Education gets Boost through Pakistan / UK Co-operation
The University of Greenwich has pledged cooperation with a Pakistani university on maritime research and teaching.
Greenwich Vice-Chancellor Baroness Blackstone signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Vice Admiral Farooq Rashid, Rector of Bahria University, last week to develop shared courses and research projects which will benefit both countries.
The two universities specialise in maritime studies: Greenwich has its Maritime Institute and Bahria has the newly formed National Centre for Maritime Policy Research. Greenwich, home of Mean Time and 0 degrees longitude, has long been at the centre of naval and maritime affairs and is conveniently based in London, the world capital of maritime financial and legal services.
Professor Sarah Palmer, Maritime Institute Director, says "Maritime policy is at the heart of our reserach and teaching, and we particularly welcome opportunities to develop links with overseas universities that have similar interests."
Pakistan holds an important geo-political location and maritime affairs are of key strategic importance, as they are to the UK. Bahria University was established by the Pakistan Navy in 2000 to deliver quality education, and the Pakistan government chose it to develop the centre. The centre has been given a role in advancing Pakistan’s national interests by assisting the integration and development of national maritime sector and policies.
The signing ceremony was attended by Her Excellency, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan High Commissioner, Captain Raja Javed Afzal, Director of the National Centre for Maritime Policy Research, Professor Sarah Palmer, Director of the Greenwich Maritime Institute and Mr Bari Malik, Managing Director of Corporate Media Associates.
For images of the signing and more information please contact:
Hester Brown, Press Officer
University of Greenwich
Tel: 020 8331 7663
Mob: 07876 193 481
hester.brown@gre.ac.uk