CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN MARINE BIOLOGY (CEMB)

The Centre is housed in its own building at the Campus of the University of Karachi. The buildup area is 23340 sq. ft. It has a fish aquarium annexed to it and a research library of centre has good collection of 5210 books and 1670 research journals of which 400 are local journals and 1270 are foreign. The library has high speed internet facility and a wide range of online journals are available through HEC digital library. The Centre has a fish museum in which more than 500 specimens of local marine fishes and 200 specimens of marine invertebrates are housed. This museum is mainly used for teaching purposes. The centre has a shore laboratory on Sandspit beach, about 35 Km away from the main campus. The laboratory is mainly used by researchers who visit sea-side for collection of marine animals

Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology is the only institution in Pakistan, which offers degrees in Marine Biology at M.Phil. and Ph.D. level. This Centre has produced 81 M.Phils. and 18 Ph.Ds. At present 76 students are enrolled in M.Phil./MS and 25 students are enrolled in Ph.D. programme. The Centre is staffed with highly qualified scientists who have experience of working in world renowned institutions of marine biology and fisheries. The academic staff consists of 8 Ph.Ds. and 5 M.Phils

CEMB undertakes research in the field of marine science including biological, environmental, ecological, biochemical, chemical, geological studies on marine life of coastal waters and Northern Arabian Sea.

Functional Set-up

The Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology was established as Department of Marine Biology in 1969. In 1973, it was given the status of Institute of Marine Biology. Later on, in 1975 the Federal Government elevated its status as Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology under the Centre of Excellence Act of 1974. The Centre is financially supported by the Higher Education Commission. It is administered by a Board of Governors whose Chairman is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Karachi. The Director is the executive and academic head of the Centre. The Board of Advance Studies and Research and the Academic Council of the University of Karachi approves the academic programmes of the Centre.

OBJECTIVE OF THE MS AND PH.D. PROGRAMMES

  *   To establish MS/Ph. D. and other programmes in marine biology in accordance with the standards and requirements of the University of Karachi

  *   Produced qualified manpower

Career Opportunities

After completing M.Phil or Ph.D. in Marine /biology the candidate would be able to take job in: Research Organization such as, NIO, PCSIR, Marine Fisheries department of Sindh and Balochistan, Environmental Protection Agencies Foreign countries where biodiversity, aquaculture and other industries related to marine resources are highly developed Teaching at College, institutional and university level etc.