Guwahati: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, in collaboration with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), has successfully conducted India’s inaugural training and certification program in underwater welding and deep diving.
The initiative marks a significant milestone in enhancing India’s capacity for underwater asset maintenance while developing a skilled workforce to support critical industries such as maritime, energy, and oil and gas.
The programme was conducted at the Neel Diving Academy in Kochi, where trainers from both IRS and IIT Guwahati’s Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) delivered comprehensive theoretical and practical sessions.
The certification programme is designed to meet the growing demands of India’s offshore, maritime, oil, and gas industries.
During the programme that aimed to address a critical skills gap in the Indian maritime and energy sectors, the participants gained hands-on experience in underwater welding, a vital skill for maintaining offshore and maritime infrastructure.
The participants engaged in rigorous underwater welding exercises and underwent a series of technical evaluations.
Prof Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, emphasised the significance of the program in his address: “This first-of-its-kind initiative blends academic rigor with hands-on expertise, addressing a crucial skills gap in the maritime and energy sectors. We are proud to partner with IRS to drive innovation and capability development, advancing India’s capabilities in underwater asset maintenance.”
Prof N R Mandal, Chair of the Technology Innovation and Development Foundation, IIT Guwahati, added, “The success of this programme underscores our commitment to advancing specialised maritime skills and strengthening India’s underwater asset maintenance capabilities. This initiative aligns perfectly with the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) by fostering local expertise in critical sectors.”
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Dr. Asokendu Samanta, Divisional Head of R&D at IRS, explained, “This programme equips our workforce with essential underwater wet welding and deep diving skills, which are vital for maintaining India’s oil, gas, and shipping infrastructure.”
