Solent University’s Dean honoured with Hind Rattan Award 2020
Professor Syamantak Bhattacharya who is the Dean of Solent University’s Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering has been awarded the esteemed ‘Hind Rattan’ Award for “outstanding services, achievements, and contributions to education (maritime)”.
The Hind Rattan Award, translated to English as ‘Jewel of India’, is ‘an Indian diasporic award granted annually to eminent non-resident Indian origin persons (NRIs) by the NRI Welfare Society of India. It is considered the highest award for NRIs given in recognition of their outstanding services, achievements, and contributions in their respective fields. The award was offered at a ceremony attended by members of the Supreme Court, dignitaries and international diplomats on the eve of India’s Republic Day in New Delhi.
Speaking after the ceremony Professor Bhattacharya said: “It is a great honour to receive this award from my country of birth. Having my passion and commitment to education recognised in this way is a great honour, and testament to the exciting way in which maritime education and training is evolving at Solent University. Major investment in our facilities, alongside research and curriculum development, will help us build on our world-renowned Warsash heritage, working with maritime industries across the globe to ensure our academic and training programmes are relevant for current and future marine professionals.”
Professor Syamantak has been the dean at Solent University’s Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering since 2016. He has overseen critical change management programmes to maritime education at the University, aided by a £43m investment, and had also overseen the opening of the UK’s largest maritime simulation centre last year. He has also led the development of new maritime and engineering programmes, the alignment of vocational awards to academic qualifications and the expansion of global partnerships at the University.