KOCHI:Ever heard of a concept called ‘Floating University’? Have you not? Then here is a chance to get acquainted with the innovative concept of education. MV Explorer, a cruise vessel known as the ‘Floating University’ will reach Kochi on Friday with more than 1,000 people comprising of students, teachers and crew on board. The students are sailing around the world as part of ‘Semester at Sea’, an academic programme organised by the University of Virginia. Though the entire initiative has been undertaken by the University of Virginia, students from more than 200 universities are on board MV Explorer for the semester.
The vessel which started from San Diego in the US is sailing towards India after visiting Japan, China, Vietnam, Singapore and Burma. ‘MV Explorer’, during its 112-days itinerary will also visit Mauritius, South Africa, Ghana, Moroco and England, before turning back home. The students will visit 12 countries and 15 cities during the 112 days of sailing.
MV Explorer is a Bahamas-registered passenger ship. She has facilities such as spacious class rooms, hostels, library, indoor playing areas and swimming pool.The vessel which reaches Kochi on March 6 will remain here till March 11. Students in small groups will visit various places in and out of Kerala. Some may even go up to Delhi while others will attend classes here to get an in depth knowledge of Kerala and its culture, said Gopinath Panangad, project adviser of the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), which hosts classes and seminars for students at the shore.