Visiting Fellows

Dr. Tharishini Krishnan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Strategic and Defence Studies at the National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM). A scholar specialising in maritime security and policy, she holds a PhD from King’s College London, where her research focused on Malaysia-India maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. She completed her undergraduate degree in International Relations in 2005 and earned a Master’s in Strategic and Security Analysis in 2008 from the National University of Malaysia.

At NDUM, Dr. Tharishini has held pivotal roles, including Head of the Strategic and Defence Studies Department (2022–2024) and Research Fellow at the Centre of Defence and InternationalSecurity Studies (2020–2024). She was also a Fellow of the Joint Chair of Derby–NDUM (2017–2018) and is an Associate Member of the Corbett Centre for Maritime Policy Studies at King’s College London.

Dr. Tharishini’s contributions to international and regional security discourse have earned her prestigious accolades, such as the 2019 ASEAN-India Youth Award (Malaysia category), the theMalaysia-Australia Maritime Exchange Fellowship (2022), and participation in the U.S. Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (2023). Her commentary and analysis appear in prominent platforms such as the New Straits Times, The Star, The Diplomat, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, and East Asia Forum. A regular columnist for Samudera Magazine published by Malaysia’s Sea Power Centre, she has also contributed to key publications on Indo-Pacific strategy.

In addition to her work at NDUM, Dr. Tharishini lectures at the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College (MAFSC) and the National Resilience College (NRC). Her primary research interests include maritime security, Indian Ocean strategies, and the broader Indo-Pacific geopolitical framework.

Professional Background:

I have been a Senior Lecturer at the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) since the end of 2011. My responsibilities include teaching marine engineering systems, ship architecture, ship maintenance systems, and renewable energy-related subjects in both the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Maritime Technology.

Work Experience:

Prior to joining UPNM, I served in the Royal Malaysian Navy from 1999 to 2010. My roles included Ship Engineering Officer onboard KD Lekiu, Marine Engineering Instructor at the Faculty of Officers Lumut, Staff Officer at the Human Resources Development Department of the Naval Headquarters Ministry of Defence, and Safety and Health Officer at a private company in early 2011

Education:

In 2023, I received my doctorate from UTM with a research title titled “Hydrodynamic Derivatives of Single and Three Rudder-Shaped Hulls Model in Manoeuvring.”

Contribution to MIMA:

I am available to assist in studies related to marine engineering, ship maintenance, and renewable energy. As the Chief Operations Officer at the UPNM Maritime Centre, I have the expertise and resources to support MIMA in conducting research on ship operations using ship simulators.