CHATTOGRAM, Dec 23, 2024 (BSS) – Shipping adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain said country’s marine academies will be made international standard as he spoke at the graduation parade here today.

“A master plan will be taken for the overall development of the Marine Academy of Bangladesh . . . Country’s all (marine) academies will be upgraded as international standards,” he said.

M Sakhawat Hossain, also the adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, was speaking as the chief guest at the graduation parade of the 58th batch of cadets of the Bangladesh Marine Academy, Chittagong.

Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, acting Commandant of Bangladesh Marine Academy Captain M Ibne Kaiser Taimur and senior officials concerned of various forces were present at the event

Noting that they have talked to domestic and foreign shipping corporations so that domestic mariners can get employment opportunities, the adviser said, “Our mariners are working in different countries and playing a very significant role in the country’s economy through earning huge foreign currencies.”

Referring to various changes in the academy, adviser Sakhawat said the academy’s syllabus will also have to be changed a little while some changes are being made in the selection system.
Brigadier Sakhawat called upon the mariners to work abroad upholding the image of the country.

At the event, Md Minhaj Sadman was awarded the President’s Gold Medal for the highest achievement in all fields among the 58th batch cadets while Senior Captain Jisan received the Bangladesh City Corporation Medal for obtaining the 2nd highest marks.

Besides, Cadet Captain Nusrat and Senior Captain Mahira were awarded the Bangladesh Marine Academy Medal, Senior Cadet Ridoy was awarded the Bangladesh City Corporation Medal, and Ismail was awarded the Shipping Corporation Medal.

For obtaining the highest marks in the final examination this year, Md Ibne Faisal Tanvir Majumder of the naval branch and Iffad Hasan Anik of the engineering branch were awarded the silver medal of the Ministry of Shipping.

Marine Academy sources said since its establishment in 1962, about 5,362 cadets have been trained from this academy in the last 62 years and working with good reputation on various domestic and foreign ships.

“Not only that, the country receives over Tk 3000 crore in revenue annually through marine professionals,” they mentioned.

A total of 238 cadets, including 128 cadets in the nautical branch and 120 in the engineering branch, have completed two years of academic and regimental training at the Marine Academy in the 58th batch of Bangladesh Marine Academy, Chittagong.

After being affiliated to BSMR Maritime University, a four-year Bachelor of Maritime Science Honours course was introduced in the Nautical and Engineering Department of Bangladesh Marine Academy since 2013 and the courses of the batches have been completed.