DHAKA, Feb 25, 2021 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged the marine academy graduates to work with honesty, sincerity and skillfulness to brighten the country’s image at home and abroad.
“You (graduates) are going to step into a new life where you have to uphold the country’s reputation . . . your main responsibility is to perform your own duty with honesty, skillfulness and sincerity so that Bangladesh’s image is brightened at home and abroad,” she said.
The premier was addressing the Mujib Borsha Graduation Ceremony of the 55 Batch of Bangladesh Marine Academy in Chattogram, virtually joining from her official residence Ganabhaban.
She said the highest education and training is needed to compete with this competitive world and the government is creating opportunities to this end.
Referring to different initiatives of the incumbent government to expand
scope of education, Sheikh Hasina said they have established Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University in 2013 for higher education in
shipping and upgraded 3-year pass course to 4-year honors course along with
introduction of masters for maritime science degree.
She said the government wants to pull the country ahead following the
vision and philosophy of Father of the Nation.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, returning home in 1972 from the
captivity in Pakistan, had given a plan and guidelines along with formulation
of the Constitution and necessary laws as well as acts for how the
independent Bangladesh would be governed, she added.
Mentioning Bangabandhu’s vision and spirit to generate employment
opportunities for generation to generation and develop socioeconomic status,
the Prime Minister said her government is working with the goal of creating
employment opportunities for the country’s people.
A total of 192 cadets of Bangladesh Marine Academy under the 55 batch
became graduates today.
On behalf of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, State Minister for Shipping
Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, MP handed over the ‘President Gold Medal’ and
‘Bangladesh Shipping Corporation Medal’ to the best cadets.
Cadet Captain Adnan Hasib Shawon received ‘Bangladesh Shipping Corporation
Medal’ for the best performance among the Cadets of the 55th Batch.
Chief Cadet Captain Abir Md Sadman Noor received ‘Hon’ble President Gold
Medal’ for the best all-round performance.
Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and shipping secretary Mohammed Mezbah Uddin
Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.
The Prime Minister, over the Coronavirus situation, reiterated her call to the country’s people to maintain health guidelines even after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.
“No one should think that all the problems are gone after taking the
Covid-19 inoculation. You’ll have to wear facemask always and follow all the health guidelines to keep yourselves protected. And I hope everyone will keep attention to it,” she continued.
Sheikh Hasina went on saying though the government is implementing the
Covid-19 vaccination programme, but all the people should follow all the
health protection guidelines, including using face-masks and keeping their
hands clean regularly, to keep themselves protected from the deadly virus.
She said her government has been making all-out efforts to ensure all
sorts of health services for the people of Bangladesh and in this connection
it has already taken proper measures.
About the Bangladesh Marine Academy, the premier said Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman returning home in 1972 established the academy and adopted
“development of marine academy 1973” project with the British technical
assistance.
In the last 10 years, she said, the marine academy has digitalized its
academic activities from the traditional system due to the initiatives of the
government.
To upgrade the nautical training of the academy, “Navigation Simulator”
has been installed in 2019 while process of installing “Engine Control
Simulator” is going on for developed marine engineering training, she added.
In addition, the academy has attained acknowledgement of UK’s Merchant
Navy Training Board while the certification of UK Maritime and Coastguard
Agency is under way, said the premier.
She said singing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with Warsash School
of Maritime Science and Engineering of UK’s Southampton Solent University and
Maritime Academy of Asia and Pacific of Philippine are on the final stage
which would help it to attain more credibility globally.
The Prime Minister also briefly highlighted different development
activities in the academy such as new auditorium, research centre-Bangabandhu
Techno Marina Complex, mosque, workshop, swimming pool, and marine engine and
navigation full-mission simulator installation etc.