Planning Minister MA Mannan has emphasized on maritime research and education in the implementation of the Prime Minister’s ‘Blue Economy’ policy to ensure sustainable development of the country.
He hoped that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University (BSMRMU) would play a vital role in the process.
The minister came up with the statemente while
speaking at an international seminar on “An Outlook for Sustainable Maritime Development and Governance: Challenges and Way Ahead” as the chief guest at a city hotel on Thursday organized by the BSMRMU.
Deputy Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Aurangzeb Chowdhury attended the seminar as the special guests. Vice-Chancellor of the University Rear Admiral M Khaled Iqbal gave the welcome address.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Education Minister Mahibul said that there is no alternative to maritime education with a view to mitigating crises in the maritime field by creating skilled manpower.
He laid stress on utilizing the country’s vast sea area by various maritime sectors for socio-economic development of the country. The Vice-Chancellor of BSMRU highlighted various current and future activities of the university to creating educated and skilled manpower. He also thanked maritime professionals, academicians, researchers, policy makers and stakeholders for attending the seminar.
A good number of maritime experts and academicians from India, Australia, the Netherlands, France, Singapore, the Philippines, England, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Malaysia and the host Bangladesh presented their papers at the seminar.
Representatives from various ministries, UGC, civil and military officers, different universities, diplomats and maritime organizations were also present.
The faculty members, students and various officials of BSMRMU also attended the seminar.
Professor Chris Bellamy from University of Greenwich, UK and advisor of Global Maritime Security and Defense, presented the keynote paper on prospects of Blue-Economy and the future potentials of the Bay of Bengal in the seminar.
Professor Andrew Serdy of UK’s Southampton University focussed on the success of Bangladesh in resolving maritime boundary disputes with neighbouring countries through the proper utilization of maritime law.
Professor of Portsmouth University, UK, Dr. Pierre Failler presented a paper where he mentioned Blue Governance as an emerging concept based on the Blue Economy and Blue Growth which can be ensured through public-private partnerships and institutional cooperations.
Professor Dr. Badrul Imam of Department of Geology from University of Dhaka presented a paper on energy scenario in the Bay of Bengal and its future prospects.
Professor Lailufar Yasmin of International Relations of the University of Dhaka highlighted on the steps required to be taken in order to ensure a sound regional maritime connectivity and security across the Bay of Bengal.
Professor Dr. Savita S. Kerkar of Goa University, India, delivered her paper on Prospects of Marine Natural resources in Developing Health Care products.
Speakers at the seminar marked various potentials of the country’s maritime future in line with socio-economic and sustainable development of Bangladesh.
There were total 03 working sessions in the seminar entitled — Regional Maritime Connectivity & Security, Ocean Health & Governance and Maritime Technology & Harnessing Ocean Resources. Professor Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed, Department of International Relations of the University of Dhaka and Professor Dr. Aftab Alam Khan of BSMRMU chaired the working sessions of the seminar.
