COIMBATORE: The courses offered by the Indian Maritime University (IMU) do not seem to be having many takers these days. Nearly 70 per cent seats for various UG courses in 2014-15 academic year are lying vacant.
The poor enrolment rate has affected the revenue earned by the university, IMU sources told Express. “The total sanctioned strength in IMU campuses in Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Cochin, Kandla and Karaikal apart from affiliated colleges in Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi and Northern region is 2,057. Out of this, only 601 seats (29.21 per cent) have been filled. As many as 1,456 seats (70.78 pc) are vacant. This has resulted in a revenue loss of `11.25 crore in terms of fees,” a university official revealed.
“If we include the enrolment in IMU campuses in Mumbai and Kolkata, the loss will increase further. If the trend continues in the years to come, it will lead to a cash crunch,” he opined. The IMU, established in 2008, is offering courses in Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering, Ship Building and Repair, Maritime Science, Port and Shipping Management, International Transportation and Logistics and Maritime Law.
Meanwhile, IMU Vice Chancellor K Ashok Vardhan Shetty attributed the poor demand to global recession and subsequent sluggishness in the shipping industry.