Marine academy to be set up in every division: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government has a plan to establish marine academy in every division asking the Bangladesh Marine Academy to take measures in grooming mariners in such a way as they can operate high-tech sea ships.      
 
“I have a wish to set up 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 said.  

The prime minister was addressing the Mujib Borsha Graduation Ceremony of the 56th Batch of Bangladesh Marine Academy in Chattogram, joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital.

She said that her government has already started operation of the four marine academies in Pabna, Barishal, Rangpur and Sylhet in January this year.

The prime minister hailed 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.

She continued: “I hope Bangladesh Marine Academy will take appropriate measures to build marine cadets as efficient enough to operate high-tech marine ships in the days to come.”
 
The prime minister described marine cadets as “representatives” of Bangladesh urging them to uphold the country’s thousand-year-old civilization and culture on the world stage.   

“Remember, you’re not only the fearless mariners, but also the representatives of Bangladesh. Work with patriotism, honesty, self-confidence, and professionalism. Uphold the country’s thousand-year-old civilization and culture when you travel by ships with goods from one country to another one,” she said.

She greeted all concerned as 359 cadets of Bangladesh Marine Academy under the 56 batch became graduates today through an e-learning process confronting all the hurdles arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The premier witnessed an eye-catching parade by a smartly turned out contingent of the fresh marine cadets.   

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, MP, and its Secretary Mohammed Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury, spoke on the occasion.

Senior Cadet Captain Nadim Ahmed received the Hon’ble President Gold Medal’ for the best all-round performance while Chief Cadet Captain Rafid Bin Alam got ‘Bangladesh Shipping Corporation Medal’ for the second best performance among the cadets of the 56th Batch.

Engineer Golam Mostafa, Adjutant of the Bangladesh Marine Academy, administered oath to the fresh marine cadets while commandant of the academy Dr. Sajid Hussain formally declared the graduation of all the cadets.  

A video documentary on the activities of the Bangladesh Marine Academy was screened on the occasion.