3 Sep 1973: Inauguration of Bangladesh Marine Academy
MarEngr. Sajid Hussain HonDSc MSc CEng CMarEng FIMarEST
Commandant, Bangladesh Marine Academy
Date of update: 21-07-2023
After libation, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, upon his return to Free Bangladesh on 10 January 1972, as a part of his relentless effort of reconstruction and regeneration of the new country, managed to commence the Academy as “Bangladesh Marine Academy” in early 1972. Bangabandhu, at the recommendation of General M A G Osmani (Chief Military Commander of the Bangladesh Armed Forces i.e. Mukti Bahini), had appointed Merchant Marine Captain M L Rahman (the-then Principal Officer of Mercantile Marine Department – POMMD) as the Commandant (Additional Charge) of the new Academy. Later the new Academy had been formally commissioned by the Bangladesh Government with the British Technical Cooperation (BTCO) in 1973 under a project titled “Development of Marine Academy: July 1973 to June 1980”.
Earlier, the Academy had been established as ‘Mercantile Marine Academy (MMA)’ by the-then Pakistan Government in 1962 here in Juldia, Chittagong. During the Liberation War since 26th March 1971, the academy activities could continue up to June 1971. The Passing-out Parade of the Senior Cadets i.e. 8th Batch (22N & 21E) took place in mid-June 1971 and they left the Academy. The Junior Cadets i.e. 9th Batch went out for their 3 months’ summer vacation following the Academy programme.
Cadet Liaquat Ali of 9th Batch was staying in his home at Karalia village, Companigonj, Noakhali. He was actively participating with his cousin Abu Saleh Mohammed Golam Mohiuddin, the Muktijoddha Comandar of Companigonj Thana. At one point, he got killed by the Pakistani Army collaborators (Rajakars & Al-Badar led by Yusuf – a student of Chittagong University) on 28th July 1971. The Cadet Block of Academy has been named as the “Shaheed Liaquat Ali Cadet Block” in 2010.
The 9th Batch Cadets couldn’t join back by end-September 1971. The vacation continued to be extended with 15 days each time. All Pakistani staffs including the Commandant (Commodore S M. Anwar SK PN) left the Academy for Pakistan on 13 November 1971. The Pakistan Defence Ministry had shifted this Academy to Pakistan; temporarily started it as the “Pakistan Maine Academy” at Karachi Hajj Camp, Pakistan.
Although established in early-1972, the formal Cadets’ Training in Bangladesh Marine Academy couldn’t be commenced in 1972. Captain (later Rear Admiral) M A Khan PSN BN had been appointed as the new Commandant on 18 Dec 1972 (served till 20 May 1974). The 9th batch Cadets (8N & 8E) were called back to the Academy in May and had passed-out on 21 May 1973.
Finally, the newly admitted Cadets (17N & 18E) of 10th Batch joined the Academy on 3 September 1973 and the formal Cadets’ Education & Training had commenced on the day. May Allah bless our Maritime Motherland.
Reference: IMCO Report, 19 May 1980; Project Book: Development of Marine Academy: July 1973 to June 1980; Few ex-Cadets of 8th, 9th & 10th Batch.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND – click here
TIME LINE: 1952 – 2022
| 1952: | Government took the decision of establishment of a Marine Academy at Chittagong. |
| 1962: | Mercantile Marine Academy was established under Colombo Plan; commenced functioning from 3 September 1962. |
| 1971: | Pakistan Government left MMA abandoned. |
| 1972: | Bangabandhu started it as “Marine Academy, Bangladesh” i.e. “Bangladesh Marine Academy” and appointed Capt. M L Rahman as the first Bangalee Commandant. |
| 1973: | A Project titled “Development of Marine Academy” was launched by Bangabandhu. |
| 1975: | Prime Minister Capt. M Mansur Ali visited the Academy and attended the 10th Batch Cadets’ Graduation Parade as the Chief Guest. |
| 1976:
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Chief Engineer of Marine Academy Mr. Ken R G Rotter introduced 4 years’ Engineer Cadet Training Scheme at the Academy in accordance with the UK Merchant Navy Training Board. |
| 1977: | British Prime Minister Mr. James Callaghan visited the Academy. |
| 1980: | Mr. Chandrika Prashad Srivastava, Secretary General of IMO, visited the Academy. |
| 1987: | Ship simulator (Navsim-4) was collected for training. |
| 1989: | The project titled “Development of Marine Academy” has been completed successfully. |
| 1990: | Marine Academy achieved the coveted recognition as one of the 14 branches of World Maritime University (established by IMO in 1983). |
| 1992: | Under the certification of University of Chittagong, 2 years’ Bachelor of Science degree course has been introduced. |
| 1996: | Under the certification of National University, 2 years’ Bachelor of Science degree course has been introduced. |
| 1996: | The new Governing Body (current) of the Academy has been formed. |
| 2000:
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The names of the 2 disciplines of the Cadet Training – Nautical and Engineering have been formally & officially renamed as the Pre-sea Nautical Science and Pre-sea Marine Engineering respectively. |
| 2000: | Ensuring complete compliance to the requirements of the STCW ’ 95 Convention,Bangladesh has been duly included in the IMO’s White. |
| 2003: | Under the certification of National University, the 3 years’ Bachelor of Maritime Science degree course started. |
| 2004: | Plan taken in hand to enhance Bangladesh Marine Academy into a Maritime University. |
| 2007:
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The Academy has been awarded with the “World Maritime Day Award” as a recognition for providing maritime training at international standard. |
| 2008: | European Commission (EMSA) audited the Academy (recognised in 2011). |
| 2009: | A project titled “Enhancing Capacity of Marine Academy” has been commenced. |
| 2009: | A programme titled “Modernization of Training Facility” has been commenced. |
| 2010: | Academic link (for STCW 2010) with AMC Australia. |
| 2011: | European Commission (EMSA) recognized the Academy. |
| 2011: | Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Academy on 26 Feb 2011 & unveiled Inaugural Plaque for Sheikh Mujib Maritime University. |
| 2011: | IMO SecGen Efthimios E. Mitropoulos visited on 13 Jan 2011 and inaugurated the Seafarers Memorial. |
| 2011: | IMO Mission on 28-29 March 2011 (STCW 2010). |
| 2011: | All courses revised according to STCW 2010 requirements. |
| 2012: | Female Cadets training introduced. |
| 2012: | e-Learning & CBT introduced. |
| 2012: | Employment Drive in cooperation with IMEC & SSA (Singapore). |
| 2013: | New approved Projects: Training Ship & Nav/Engine Simulators. |
| 2013: | IMO SecGen Mr. Koji Sekimizu has visited Academy on 25 June. |
| 2014: | Singed MOU with WMU for joint Academic Program |
| 2014: | Membership with GOBTC. |
| 2015: | 3-years’ Bachelor Pass degree course has been upgraded to 4-years’ Honours one. |
| 2015: | Cadets’ Bachelor Degree course got recognized by Maritime & Port Authority Singapore. |
| 2015: | Commandant (Sajid Hussain FIMarEST) was a Panel Member in WMU Alumni Regional Conference in Myanmar (Jan 2015). |
| 2016: | Achieved ISO 9001:2015 Quality Certificate from DNV-GL. |
| 2016: | Commandant (Sajid Hussain FIMarEST) has been appointed as an IMO Maritime Ambassador by formal nomination of GOB. |
| 2017: | e-Tendering & e-Filing Introduced. |
| 2017: | Commandant Sajid Hussain is a Member to IMarEST London Council. |
| 2018: | MOU with Tolani Maritime Institute, India. |
| 2019: | Upgraded status as a ‘Partner Institution’ of Word Maritime University (WMU), Sweden. |
| 2019: | BMA Commandant (Sajid Hussain FIMarEST) has been awarded with the “Outstanding Contribution in Marine Education Award 2019” by the IMarEST |
| 2019: | Achieved “Centre of Excellence” of Nautical Institute (NI London) and Institute of Maritime |
| 2019: | Achieved “Centre Recognition” of UK Merchant Navy Training Board. |
| 2020: | BMA Commandant (Sajid Hussain CEng CMarEng FIMarEST) elected as a Trustee of the Institute of Maritime Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST London) |
| 2022: | MoU with Solent University (Warsash Maritime School), Southampton, UK for academic collaboration (up to MSc level) |
| 2022: | MoU with MAAP Philippines (Maritime Academy of Asia & Pacific) for academic collaboration – in process |
| 2022: | Recognition of UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) – in process |
