Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan yesterday said maritime sector is playing an important role in country’s economic development.
“Private marine academies are playing a pioneering role along with the government to develop skilled manpower in this sector,” he said speaking as the chief guest at the passing out ceremony of the 6th batch of pre-sea cadets at International Maritime Academy (IMA) at Pubail.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki, Shipping Secretary Ashok Madhab and Directorate of Shipping Director General Commodore Sayid Ariful Islam, IMA Commandant Captain Jaki Ahad and Director Rummana Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion, said an official release.
The shipping minster said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had set up Bangladesh Marine Academy in Chittagong in 1972 to train the sailors.
After 42 years, the government of Sheikh Hasina established four marine academies in Sylhet, Rangpur, Barisal and Pabna and one marine university in Chittagong, he added.
As per the directive of the prime minister, the marine academies are taking 20 female cadets for every batch since 2012, the minister said.
