PETALING JAYA: Scomi Marine Bhd has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form a framework of cooperation for the provision of maritime academic programmes in Malaysia.

The MoU was signed with Indian Maritime University (IMU), Intan Asia Sdn Bhd and Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).

In a statement, Scomi Marine, an associate of Scomi Group Bhd, said the programmes, like training, research, consultancy courses and services, would be carried at a campus to be established in PKFZ.

The parties will undertake the establishment of the maritime academy, whereby a joint management committee and a joint academic committee will be formed to carry out the planning, direction and overall management of the project and the academic curriculum respectively, it said.

It said PKFZ had been identified as the ideal location for the IMU Asia campus as it offered excellent connectivity and infrastructure facilities.

IMU is a central university established by the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India with headquarters in Chennai.

Scomi Group chief executive officer Shah Hakim Zain said: IMU Asia campus will form a part of Scomi's corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Our intention is to train young Malaysians for a career in shipping. In addition, this will help alleviate the unemployment faced by youths.

PKFZ chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng said: It provides PKFZ with another nucleus of activity for the free trade zone and they aim to spawn a series of activities around the campus to support the shipping and logistics requirement of the industry.

He said the project would be able to utilise the existing facilities in the four blocks of office complex in PKFZ immediately.

- The Star Online