Marine Engineering and Research Institute

The Marine Engineering and Research Institute (MERI), formerly known as the Directorate of Marine Engineering Training (DMET), is India's national institute for the training of marine engineers.

MERI offers a four-year Bachelor's degree program in Marine Engineering admissions for which are made through the Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) conducted by IITs. The degree was however granted by the renowned Jadavpur University. Prior to 2000, the four-year course was conducted under the aegis of . Based on the recommendations of the Board of Assessment for Educational Qualifications, the Indian Government's Ministry of Education and Culture decided to recognize this course as equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Marine Engineering from 1983 onwards. However, with the establishment of the Indian Maritime University in March 2009, the affiliations for all courses have been transferred to the IMU, which would award its own degrees.

History

Marine engineering training in India had its formal beginning in 1927 on board the training ship Dufferin. 8 years prior, the first Indian owned vessel, S.S. "Loyalty" sailed out of Bombay Harbour on April 5, 1919 for London. The vessel was owned by M/S. Scindia Steam Navigation Company. The Master and the other officers were British. Subsequently, Sir P. S. Sivaswamy Iyer moved a resolution in the Indian Legislature to train Indians for the merchant marine. The R.I.M.S Dufferin was acquired by the Department of Commerce and...
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