Aiming to develop skilled manpower to operate commercial ships, three more marine academies will be set up in different parts of the country, said State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury.
"As per the instructions given by the Prime Minister, the government will establish three more marine academies for developing skilled sailors," he said.
The state minister said this while attending a meeting on development, financial and administration affairs of Bangladesh Marine Academies located at Chattogram, Barishal, Rangpur, Sylhet and Pabna held at the ministry's conference room on Monday.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that her government has a plan to establish a marine academy in every division.
“I have a wish to set up a marine academy in every division where our children will get training and an ample scope of employment will be created for them at home and abroad,” she had said.
The junior minister said marine academies can develop skilled sailors. A total of 359 marine cadets who have passed from 54th batch of the Bangladesh Marine Academy have already been recruited by local and foreign ships. The female cadets have also got appointments in the US, Australia and Singaporean ships.
"We will develop skilled sailors as the country has ample scope to produce expert sailors and it will help us to earn huge foreign currency," he added.
The meeting also discussed various things including land requisition, manpower appointment, budget, simulator purchase of the four new marine academies. It was also informed in the meeting that four new marine academies have been affiliated by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University.
There was only one marine academy in Chattogram, now the country has five marine academies. The new four other marine academies are Barishal, Rangpur, Sylhet and Pabna.
Khalid Mahmud said that the new four Marine Academies have many challenges, which must be overcome.
The ministry's high officials including Secretary of the Shipping Ministry M Mostafa Kamal also attended the virtual programme.
The government has started operation of the four marine academies in Pabna, Barishal, Rangpur and Sylhet in January this year.
The Bangladesh Marine Academy for developing over 5000 marine cadets who are now brightening the country’s image abroad with their professionalism and efficiency and added 230 million US dollars to the country’s economy.
Bangabandhu established Bangladesh Marine Academy, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation and Marine Fisheries Academy.
As part of the country’s development, the government had first given approval to the new governing body of Bangladesh Marine Academy and made its curriculum time-worthy for advancement of the shipping sector.
The present government has established the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University in 2013 for higher education in shipping and upgraded 3-year pass course to 4-year honours course along with introduction of masters for maritime science degree.
