FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS  – NCMPR

National Centre of Maritime Policy Research came into existence on 13^th January 2007 as the only maritime research institute in Pakistan. Since then NCMPR is poised towards achievement of the divulged mission and objectives. Since its inception, the center has made considerable progress towards achieving it’s laid down objectives. During the 1^st year of its operation, the Center organized two International Maritime Conferences besides participating in various conferences / seminars at national and international levels. Additionally, it established formal associations with Greenwich Maritime Institute, London, Corbett Center of Maritime Studies, London and Institute of Oriental Studies, Azerbaijan through MoUs. Further to this, the Center has also undertaken initiative towards introducing maritime education programs at graduate and post graduate levels in Pakistan.

To mark it’s first anniversary, the Center organized a get together at Pearl Continental Hotel on 31^st Jan 2008; which was graced by eminent and key personalities from maritime, education and services sectors who joined the center in celebrating 1^st year of it’s coming into being. The prominent amongst those were:

    a.   Vice Admiral (R) Farooq Rashid HI(M) S.Bt          :    Rector BU

    b.   Mr. Farrukh Qaisar                                             :    Chairman PAK Shaheen
                                 Container Terminal

    c.   Capt Anwar Shah                                               :    MD Surveyor & Shipping

    d.   Vice Admiral S V Naqvi HI(M)                             :    Chairman PNSC

    e.   Mr. Khurram S. Abbas                                       :    Chairman PSA Gwader

    f.    Mr. Neil Wuijerantne                                           :    Country Manager APL

    g.   Mr. Anwar Mughal                                               :    GM Exploration PPL

    h.   Dr. Nadra Punjwani                                             :    Member of BOG and
                                                                                              Minister for Women
                                                                                              Development, Sind

    j.    Rear Admiral M Shafi SI(M)                               :    Commander Logistic
                                                                                             Pakistan Navy

    k.     Vice Admiral (R) Ahmed Hayat HI(M)                :     Chairman KPT

    l.      Capt Haleem A Siddiqui                                  :     Chairman Marine Group of Cos

   m.     Dr. Muhammad Altamash                                :     Altamash Institute of
                                                                                              Dental Medicine

    n.     Mr. Auranzeb A Naqvi                                      :     GM Drilling and Exploration
                                                                                              OGDC Investment

    o.     Rear Admiral (R) Shahid Latif HI(M)                  :     Pro-Rector BU

Rector Bahria University Vice Admiral (R) Farooq Rashid HI(M) S.Bt welcomed the guests, during which he highlighted the vision, background and objectives for setting up the National Centre for Maritime Policy Research at Bahria University. The Rector also appreciated the presence of guests who spared their valuable time and graced the occasion. Director NCMPR, Captain Raja Javed Afzal TI(M) PN gave a short presentation to the guests on NCMPR.

Director NCMPR in his presentation highlighted the mission and objectives of NCMPR. He summarized the last one year activities which included two International conferences, launching of two premier research projects, NCMPR building and conclusion of three International MoUs. On education side, the Director reported launching of academic programmers in MBA (Maritime) and BS in Earth Sciences (Geo Physics, Geology and Environment). He also reported plans to launch MS in Earth Sciences and MS in Marine and Maritime Studies.

The performance of NCMPR during the last one year was highly appreciated by the Guests; who recognized that NCMPR has proved that it possesses the potential and expertise required for becoming a Centre of excellence on Maritime Affairs. They also assured support for the Center towards raising maritime awareness at national level and meeting various facilitating NCMPR in launching of post graduate degree in MBA (Maritime) and hoped that NCMPR will achieve its mission of raising awareness on maritime technological and educational requirement for sustainable development of maritime potential; in tandem with the United Nation millennium program in future.

Some glimpses of the event