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WELCOME TO BANGLADESH MARINE FISHERIES ACADEMY

Marine Fisheries Academy (MFA) trains male and female cadets for the deep sea-going fishing vessels, merchant ships, fish processing plants and other maritime industries. The cadets of MFA used to be awarded with the B.Sc.(Pass) certificates in Nautical Science, Marine Engineering and Marine Fisheries from National University, Gazipur, Bangladesh. These training also satisfy the requirement of STCW IMO Convention to serve as an officer onboard fishing, merchant vessels and also in shore as processing technologists.

Recently Marine Fisheries Academy is affiliated with the" Bangabundhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, Bangladesh" for 4 years B.Sc. (Hons.) program in Nautical Science, Marine Engineering and Marine Fisheries courses.

Cadets officially complete their training through a national colourful ceremony namely "Passing out Parade" which is normally held with the presence of the Honourable Minister of Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock. This is the most vibrant event in the academy campus and for which the cadets keep on waiting in which they carry out march-past and show the appropriate marks of respect to the Chief Guest. Cadets also take oath to serve at sea and awarded with certificates of Pre-sea training and graduation. Simultaneously, Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) is also issued to the cadets of Nautical and Marine Engineering departments by the Department of Shipping which allows them to look south to venture out all the seas around the globe.

Introduction

INTRODUCTION

After the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971; National Leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman observed lack of skilled manpower for judicious exploitation and harvesting of marine fisheries resources. Then he called for a national institution to train and educate personnel for Bangladesh maritime fisheries industries which began in 1972. That time it was also the beginning of a rapid technological change in the deep sea fishing with the introduction of large and sophisticated deep sea fishing vessels. The Government realized that without skilled manpower i.e. qualified officers, the growth of an efficient fishing fleet would be impossible.

Marine Fisheries Academy was established in 1973 to produce skilled manpower for fishing fleet with the collaboration of the then Soviet Government. Academy started journey as a project of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) on 01 September 1973. Cadets of this academy use to get scholarships from Soviet Government for MS and PhD. More than 70 cadets from this academy completed MS and PhD and working in different sectors in home and abroad. After the death of national leader, scholarships were halted and forcefully Soviet instructors were removed from the academy.

Academy came under the administrative control of Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock as a project on 20 April 1988, shifted to revenue budget under the same ministry on 01 July 1993 and continuing till to date. The functional authority of the academy is vested on to the Principal who has three assisting organs namely Academic Council, Board of Studies and Board of Discipline . Now, The academy provides quality maritime education in a well planned and organised manner to develop skilled human resources for fishing and maritime sector.

In 1998, 02 years B.Sc. pass graduation courses were introduced under National University. In 2013 the courses were upgraded to 03 years B.Sc. program and in 2018 all the courses upgraded into 04 years Honours program.

Beside male seafarers, females are also coming forward to contribute in the maritime sector. Female cadet first joined in this academy in 2010 and now contributing in Blue Economy of the country.

Most of the passed out cadets of this academy are serving in the fishing fleet operating in the Bay of Bengal and in shore based fish processing plants. Many are also now working in different maritime organisations around the globe therefore contributing directly to the national economy. So far, 1800 cadets (up to 36st batch) have been graduated successfully from MFA. Among those about 1200 cadets is now serving in international maritime sector thus Bangladesh earning about US$57.60 million (assuming US$ 48,000/cadet/year) as foreign remittance annually. This clearly justifies that MFA is very prospective institution for Bangladesh for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

LOCATION OF ACADEMY

LOCATION

OF

ACADEMY

Marine Fisheries Academy situated on a beautiful landscape on the southern bank of the river Karnaphully, opposite the Sadarghat, Chittagong. Its geographical position is 22⁰ 19.0’ N latitude, 91⁰ 49.8’ E longitude, which is about 1(one) km from the city center.

Academic Council

ACADEMIC COUNCIL

In order to bring transparency of all actions related to training and other relevant works, an Academic Council has been formed by the Minis1try of Fisheries and Livestock under the Chairmanship of Principal. The Academic Council comprises of the Principal, three Departmental Heads of the Academy, a representative of the Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, a representative of the Director General, Department of Fisheries and Provost of Cadet Block. The Council is the chief academic adviser to the Principal and Ministry, and has a general responsibility for setting different academic standards and maintaining them. The Academic Council normally sits in every two months and also as and when it is essential to assemble for certain major decision.

Administrative Control

ADMINISTRATIVE

CONTROL OF THE ACADEMY

Academy started its journey as a project of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) and on 20 April 1988 it came under the administrative control of Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock as a project. But on 01 July 1993 the Academy was transferred to revenue budget under the same Ministry. Since then the Academy is functioning under the Administrative control of the Ministry. The functional authority of the Academy is vested on the Principal who has three assisting organs namely Academic Council, Board of Studies and Board of Discipline. The Academy has officers and staffs to carry out the instructional duties, as well as, administrative functions. To cover up the shortage of permanent instructors the Academy has number of required regular visiting lecturers as well. The Academy is having three departments and an administrative wing, which is organized as per the following diagram of the organogram of the Academy:

ORGANOGRAM OF THE ACADEMY

Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock

Principal

Nautical Department

Engineering Department

Marine Fisheries Department

Academic Curriculum

ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

Cadets’ Training

In the Academy the cadets are reshaped and hardened to face the challenging job of a mariner. They are imparted theoretical and practical training with the aid of modern training appliances as per international standard under the guidance of qualified Instructor. Cadets are prepared mentally and physically for rigorous sea life and are imbued with the themes of professionalism. The Academy is affiliated with National University of Bangladesh and the syllabus of the cadets has been designed for Bachelor degree of three years duration. At present, yearly 48 cadets are being recruited and they are being divided into three branches. These branches are Nautical Branch, Marine Engineering Branch and Marine Fisheries Branch and their degrees are B.Sc. (Pass) Nautical, B.Sc. (Pass) Engineering and B.Sc. (Pass) Marine Fisheries respectively. As per existing policy out of 48 cadets, 20 cadets get Nautical Branch, 20 cadets get Marine Engineering Branch and 08 cadets get Marine Fisheries Branch. It is worth mentioning here that the Academy has the flexibility to increase the yearly intake if it is essential.

Theoretical Training

Being basically a professional training institution adequate emphasis is laid for specialization in the field of nautical, marine engineering and marine fisheries science so as to build up a sound foundation. To re-enforce this foundation and facilitate comprehension of the professional subjects, reasonable stress is given in the academic subjects also. This helps polishing the academic talent, develops the personality of the cadet, makes him a well-informed all rounder and, above all, broadens the horizon of his outlook which are essential ingredients to be a successful officer on board.

Practical Training

The practical training consists of sailing, rowing, signaling, semaphore and evolutions. Practical training in technical subjects is imparted in Engineering Workshop / Bridge & Rader simulator / Engine room simulator / Fish Processing Lab /Quality control / Physics / Electrical /Mechanical /Biological / Seamanship Laboratories. In addition, regular visits under the supervision of competent Instructor are organized to the ships in the harbor / shore establishment and also to the important Scrap yard/ Dry dock / Mills / Factories so that the cadets acquire a first hand knowledge of machinery and their operation, maintenance and industrial practice.

Ancillary Courses

As per IMO regulation cadets have to attend some mandatory ancillary courses, namely Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting, Personal Survival Technique, Personal Safety & Social Responsibility and Medical Emergency / Elementary Medical First Aid courses before employment on board the ship. As such, cadets undertake these courses in different authorized training institutions during their practical training under the arrangement of the Academy.The course fees are borne by the cadets themselves.

Training System

TRAINING SYSTEM

The total duration of training of the cadets is three years Out of that 1^st and 2^nd year training is conducted in the Academy to cover the theoretical aspects of professional and academic subjects. On completion of each year, they attend year final examination conducted by the National University. In the 3^rd year they undergo practical sea training for 24 weeks on board deep sea fishing vessels and the rest of the 3^rd year covers industrial training, practice and ancillary courses. On successful completion of these courses they appear final examination under National University. Thereafter the Marine Fisheries Academy training culminates with the passing out parade and award of graduation certificates.

Dimension of Training

DIMENSION

OF

TRAINING

Training in Marine Fisheries Academy has four dimensions. Through out their stay in the academy cadets are trained on four major aspects as shown below :

Character Building

Development of sound and balanced character, truthfulness, honesty, hard work and dedication to duty and self respect has maximum focus in MFA training.

Professional Training

MFA Syllabus includes the professional subjects like Maritime Science (Nautical), Ship board Operations, Maritime Science (Engineering), Engineering Science, Marine Science and Post Harvest Technology.

Academic Training

MFA teaches the subjects of English, Physics, Mathematics, General Zoology, Bio-Chemistry and Bangladesh Studies.

Physical Training

MFA conducts physical training and parade, which contributes to the physical development; in addition it instills qualities like coolness, alertness, courage, self control, concentration, companionship and healthy sense of team sprit in the Cadets.

Activities of MFA

ACTIVITIES

OF

MFA

Introduction

Apart from conducting the pre-sea training, in near future Marine Fisheries Academy is expected to conduct post-sea preparatory courses for various certificates of competency examinations. All training examination and certification in Bangladesh are in conformity with International Convention on standards of training, Certification and Watch keeping for Fishing Vessels Personnel, 1995. Presently Academy is providing some all round training to build up the cadets in all respects.

Survival Swimming Training

During the training the Academy cadets are given sufficient swimming practice and they are taught the survival technique in the Academy. Cadets require to be successful in a standard swimming test before their passing-out. During the test one cadet must demonstrate the capability of swimming a length of 50 meter followed by 5 minutes of flotation.

Regimental Training (P.T. & Parade)

The Academy is a profession oriented and regimented training institute as such regimental life is a vital part of the total education in the Academy. Cadets have to attain the requisite standards of conduct & discipline through rigorous physical and parade training. The regimental programme is carefully designed to prove the cadets with the facilities to develop leadership and managerial quality as well. The cadets are groomed up to have self-discipline, responsibility for effective leadership and build careers as officers in maritime fields. Although the cadets devote most of their time to attend theoretical classes, laboratory & workshop practices, debates and seminars still they find time for the regimental activities which are recreational in nature. In the Academy, It is experienced that the fresh cadets enthusiastically participate in the regimental & academic programmes and develop a habit and positive aptitude to all types of works.

Games and Sports

In addition, to keep someone physically fit, games and sports instill important human qualities, namely, concentration, alertness, coolness, courage, self control, sense of team spirit and companionship. Academy has the facilities to play football, volleyball, basketball, cricket, badminton, table tennis, chess and carom board. Participation in the afternoon games & sports of every cadet is compulsory. To develop a healthy spirit of competition and comradeship, regular inter divisional and interclass competitions are held and also competitive matches with reputed outside college teams are organized at regular intervals.

Medical Facility

To take care of the cadets’ health the Academy has a medical officer and a small dispensary. In case of minor diseases or disorders of cadets, immediate medical care including medicines, if available in the stock, are provided free of charge from the dispensary. The cost of medicines, not available in the dispensary but prescribed by the Medical Officer, is borne by the cadets concerned. In the event of serious diseases, cadets are facilities for treatment and expertise services are available. The guardians of such cadets bear required expenses for the treatment including cost of medicines and test fees, if required.

Religious Activities

Cadets are always inspired to take part in all the religious activities of their respective religions. Special attention is drawn on strict adherence for regular prayers. During the religious festivals or respective religion special prayer are offered with great concern and importance. The Academy has its own prayer room and a mosque near the Academy campus for the Muslim cadets. However, special arrangements are also made for the cadets of other religions other than Islam.

Verification of Character And Antecedents

Character and antecedents of the finally selected candidates are verified through the Police Administration. As the verification process takes a long time, the selected candidates are allowed to join the Academy provisionally. However, if any unsatisfactory or adverse report is received at a later stage, his enrollment is immediately terminated and he is withdrawn from the Academy. All the expenses incurred by the Academy in respect of such a candidate and decided by the Board of Discipline is to be paid by the guardian of the candidate in full.

Discipline

Ability to command the subordinates and carry put orders and superiors with utmost speed, promptness and judgment is of paramount importance for marine officer’s onboard ship. This can only be expected from those who have developed complete adherence to the norms of discipline, which ;is essentially regarded as cumulative display of qualities of head and heart, sound training and professional competence. As such, due emphasis is laid on these aspects and the whole training programme and the activities of the Academy are designed to achieve this goal i.g. a high standard if discipline as in the Maritime Academies and similar other training institutions of the world. The Principal of the Academy reserves the right of dismissing any cadet at any time from the course or awarding any other suitable punishment in the event of breaking the rules of discipline of the Academy.

Daily Routine for Cadets

DAILY ROUTINE FOR CADETS

WORKING DAY

0515 Cadets Call

0550 Morning Prayer

0600 PT

0630 Secure P.T. make up beds properly & wash.

0715 Breakfast

0745 Parade

0800 Color hoisting

0840 Secure Parade

0900

To Follow Cass routine

1415

1425 Lunch

1545 Cadets to Tea

1600 Fall-in for games

1710 Secure Game

1725

To Maghreb Prayer & Self Study

1915

1925 Cadets to Supper

1945 Clean ship for Inspection

2000 Inspection by O.O.D.

2030

To Self Study in Class room

2125

2200 Watching T.V. News

2220 Secure Watching T.V.

2230 Pipe down.

THURSDAY ROUTINE

0515 Cadets Call

0530 Morning prayer

0600 PT

0630 Secure P.T. make up beds properly & wash

0715 Breakfast

0745 Parade

0800 Color hoisting

0900 Seniors change into working and juniors into clean ship rig

0915 Fall in for clean-ship / Swimming

0920 Clean-ship commences / Start for Swimming pool

1045 Secure clean ship, return gears, wash & change

1100 Stand Easy

1115 All Cadets assemble in the Recreation room for Debate sort Principal’s / HODs’ Talk.

1230 Cadets to Library work ( CC , DCC & Station Leaders to remain Standby for rounds of Adjutants/Hostel Provost).

1315 Secure Round

1330 Lunch land then as per normal routine.

FRIDAY ROUTINE

0515 Cadets Call

0530 Morning prayer

0710 Breakfast

0800 Color by color party.

0830 Indoor Games/Reading Magazine/Watching TV

1030 Air Bedding

1200 Secure Air bedding. Wash and change into prayer rig

1245 Muslim cadets to mosque for Jumma prayer

1300 Jumma Prayer

1340 Dinner

1530 Tea

1600 Games (optional)

1700 Secure games

1930 Supper

Then as per Daily Routine

SATURDAY AND OTHER HOLIDAY ROUTINE

0515 Cadets Call

0530 Morning prayer

0710 Breakfast

0800 Color by color party; Junior Shore leave Party to register names in shore Leave Register & put in their signatures with time.

0805 Shore leave Party fall in front of Hostel Gate in outing rig. Dresses checked by CC / DC (OOD to supervise).

0810 Senior shore leaver party to put in their signatures in the shore eave register.

0820 Shore eave party leave for BFDC Pontoon Head.

0830 Academy boat leaves Pontoon (Bus to remain stand by at Cadet Block gate).

1030 Other cadets make and mend/letter writing/Watching TV.

1315 Dinner

1530 Tea

1600 Games (optional)

1615 Boat leaves BFDC Pontoon with the short shore leave patty.

1700 Secure games

1800 Boat leaves Sea Resource Jetty with shore leave party,.

1930 Supper

Then as per Daily Routine .

Code of Conduct An Academy Cadet

CODE

OF

CONDUCT

AN ACADEMY CADET

1. Remains smart, alert and lively at all times.

2. Considers his personal cleanliness and the cleanliness of the Academy as his personal.

3. Obeys all orders smartly and cheerfully.

4. Places duty before any other consideration

5. Does not shrink from any responsibility or duty given to him; in fact he volunteers to shoulder responsibility.

6. Speaks the truth regardless of consequences.

7. Is honest.

8. Behaves as a gentleman.

9. Is ready to do good at all times.

10. Learns to admire more than condemn.

11. Is fair and just to al irrespective of their religion or place of residence

12. Is broad minded and free from parochial feelings.

13. Does all his works by his own hands thus demonstrating dignity of labor in action.

14. Does not protect wrong-doers.

15. Does not conceal facts or evidence.

16. Upholds the good name of the Academy at all times.

17. Devotes whole-heartedly to his studies.

18. Takes an all round interest in all Academy activities.

19. Develops an attitude of Friendliness to all, Service before self; Give rather than take; Oblige rather than by obliged.

20. Wins respect by merit alone (Merit mean – all round ability and good character).

21. Remains cheerful and submissive under all circumstances.

22. Feels honor bound to report any breaches of Code of Conduct to his Cadet Captain, Deputy Cadet Captain or to the Officer of the Day without fear or favor.

Board of studies

BOARD OF STUDIES

Under the Chairmanship of the Principal, the Academy has a Board of Studies to look after the day to day assessment and progression on professional training and training of the academic subjects for the ultimate attainment of professional skill and getting the B.Sc.degree from National University, Bangladesh. The Board is also responsible to promote the relations of the academic with industry, professional bodies and other technical educational institutions. The board therefore acts as the forum for discussion on all academic maters, course committee, admission committee and examination committees. Board membership includes Adjutant, Provost, Senior Instructor (Workshop), Departmental Head(s) and the Principal.

Subjects in the Academy

SUBJECTS

TAUGHT IN THE ACADEMY

Keeping the above points in mind, the major subjects taught in the Academic are:

Academic Subjects

a) Physics

b) Mathematics

c) Bio-Chemistry

d) Zoology

e) English

f) General Knowledge and current affairs.

g) Bangladesh Studies.

Nautical Subjects

a) Principles of Navigation

b) Coastal Navigation

c) Ocean Navigation

d) Electronic Navigation

e) Radar Navigation

f) Simulated Navigation

g) Marine Operation (Watch-keeping & Communication)

h) Ship Construction

i) Ship Stability

j) Cargo Handling/General Ship Knowledge

k) Meteorology

l) Computer operating & Programming

m) Fire-fighting course

n) First Aid at sea course

o) Basic Survival at Sea course.

Engineering Subjects

a) Marine Engineering Knowledge (Motor)

b) Marine Engineering Knowledge (General)

c) Marine Steam Propulsion Plant

d) Marine Gas Turbines

e) Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer

f) Mechanics and Hydro-Mechanics

g) Engineering Drawing

h) Naval Architecture & Ship Construction

i) Electro-technology

j) Workshop, Processes & Materials

k) Workshop Practice/Plant Maintenance.

l) Computer operation & Programming

m) Fie Fighting course

n) First Aid at Sea course.

o) Basic Survival at Sea course.

Marine Fisheries Subjects

a) Elements of Marine Fisheries.

b) Coastal Aquaculture

c) Applied Fisheries

d) Fisheries Oceanography

e) Fish processing and Engineering

f) Quality control and HACCP management

g) Fisheries Biology, Environment Assessment.

h) Fishing Gear & Methods

i) Seamanship

j) Signals

k) Computer operation & Programming

l) Fire Fighting course

m) First Aid Course

n) Basis Survival at Sea course.