Marine Fisheries Academy, located on the banks of the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong, has played a leading role in developing skilled maritime professionals and advancing Bangladesh’s blue‑economy. The institution, established on 1 September 1973, offers training in marine science, marine engineering and nautical science, and has become a centre for producing reliable and competent personnel for the maritime sector. Captain Faizuddin Ahmed, the academy’s principal, said that over its 53 years of existence the academy has contributed significantly to knowledge about the Bay of Bengal’s formation and dynamics, fisheries management, biodiversity conservation and coastal livelihoods. “This knowledge is crucial for setting and achieving Bangladesh’s blue‑economy goals,” he explained. The academy occupies 10.33 acres at the mouth of the Karnaphuli River, 10 nautical miles from Chittagong Port and adjacent to the fishing harbour in Ichangor. In 1971, after the war, the government engaged Russian experts to clear mines and restore the port. The academy was created to address the shortage of specialised human resources needed to exploit the country’s vast maritime resources. Students receive modern training that includes simulators, laboratories and practical facilities for trawler operation, navigation, marine environmental protection and ship maintenance. Graduates work on domestic fishing vessels, merchant ships and international fleets, earning foreign exchange for the country. The academy’s alumni are seen as key drivers of the government’s goal of environmentally sustainable and efficient use of marine resources. The academy’s curriculum covers deep‑sea fishing, trawler and commercial shipping operations, engine operation, shipbuilding and repair, and fish processing and quality control. It offers pre‑sea training, a four‑year B.Sc. (Honours) programme, refresher courses for certification exams and ancillary training for marine officers and crew. Since its inception, 2,353 cadets have completed pre‑sea training, including 94 women in the 44th batch. Women were first admitted in 2011 alongside male cadets. Information and communication technology is integrated into the curriculum. The academy houses a 40‑station ICT lab, a marine workshop, electrical and simulation labs, a library, a swimming pool, and fire‑fighting simulators. The campus is being upgraded under a master plan approved by the Ministry of Shipping, with a development plan in progress. The academy’s role in developing skilled manpower, generating foreign exchange, and contributing to multiple industrial sectors is seen as vital to Bangladesh’s socio‑economic development and the construction of a “new Bangladesh.”
Article source: Ajker Patrika | Image credit: Ajker Patrika