News & Views - The TMI-BITS DLC Newsletter

March 2004 Issue 01/2004

Convocation Ceremony :

The first formal Convocation for awarding Diplomas to students, who successfully completed the first three semesters (Phase I), was conducted at the Grand Hotel Mumbai on 20th February 2004.

The programme commenced with the invocation prayer by Capt AM Pradhan, Faculty of this Institute, followed by a welcome address by Capt P.S. Barve, the Course Coordinator and Adjunct Professor of Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani.

Dr. S. Venkateswaran, the Vice Chancellor of Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, the chief guest, awarded the Diplomas. In his address to the audience, Dr. S. Venketeswaran traced the process through which BITS, Pilani agreed to collaborate with TMI in a distance-learning programme in Nautical Sciences. He applauded the efforts of Dr. N.P. Tolani whose ardent desire to expand his educational activities have now brought about the Tolani Maritime Institute, both at the Induri Campus and in Mumbai.

Distance learning was known as "correspondence course" in the early sixties but was not taken up as a structured programme. He acknowledged that collaborative arrangements between BITS and Tolani Maritime Institute have made this unique distance learning possible. He advised that the institute continue its good work with excellence on top of its goals.

Dr L K Maheshwari, the Director of BITS, Pilani gave the convocation address. In his address to the students he stressed the importance of education and advised that the process of learning never stops and they are now only at the first stage. He was confident that the students with diplomas, as pioneers in the field would be an example to the entire marine profession.

Even though more than 500 students have passed the Diploma in Nautical Sciences as on date, only 23 students could be present to receives the Diplomas, as other students have either already joined the ships or presently undergoing post sea statutory courses at Institutes located outside Mumbai.

Also present at the Convocation were Prof. V.S. Rao, the Deputy Director, Off Campus Programmes and Dr. BR Natrajan, the Dean Distance Learning Programmes Division of BITS, Pilani.
A large number of dignitaries including the officers of the Directorate General, Ship Owners, their representatives and Company Training Officers graced the occasion.

The programme was concluded by a vote of thanks by Master of Ceremonies, Mr Jai P Minocha, Faculty of this Institute followed by the National Anthem.

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Student’Page :

Allocation of ID Numbers to Sem D students
BITS, Pilani has clarified that for students who have completed Diploma in Nautical Sciences (Phase 1 of BS Programme) and are presently studying in Sem D and onwards, ID numbers already issued during Sem A will still be valid and as such no fresh ID Numbers will be issued to such students.

However, for students who have joined Sem D directly without completing Diploma in Nautical Sciences, ID Numbers will be issued shortly.

Courseware now on CD!!!
As announced earlier, the interactive CD containing Semesters A, B & C course material is now available with the Institute. The same will be issued to all the students and will be despatched along with their courseware of the next semester.

We sincerely appreciate the following:
Cdt Mohit Sabharwal, 2001 FZNS 805, Notrans Pvt.Ltd. - Excellent Journal
Cdt Ankit Mehrotra, OMCI - Excellent Journal
Cdt Pradvman Agarwal, 2001 FZNS 875 has sent us a pictures of a rescue operation in which his ship had been involved.

Hamant Metha, V. Ships has sent this:

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Our Progress

The student strength of the Institute as on 29 Feb ’04 was as follows :

565 students have completed Phase 1 (SSTP) as on 29 Feb ’04.

The following cadets have passed the Diploma in Nautical Sciences (Phase 1 of BS Programme) since we published our last Newsletter, obtaining grades as stated :

12 cadets have obtained more than 75% marks (Excellent Grade), 37 obtained more than 60% (Good Grade)and 03 passed with 50% or more marks (Fair Grade).

Well Done!

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