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.

Achievement

ACHIEVEMENT

There is a record of foreign employment of MFA Ex-cadets in Kuwait, Libya, Singapore, Middle East (recently), Merchant Navy, even in U.S. Coast Guard. For a period of last 35 years the Academy has contributed significantly in the marine fishery sector, as well as, other related fields in home and abroad.

In Marine fishing sector

On completion of pre-sea training of the cadets in the academy the nautical cadets join in the fishing fleet as “Deck Cadet Officer” and complete their required sea time for the certificate of competency (COC) examinations. The engineering cadets also join fishing vessels and complete their sea time for the certificate of competency (COC) examination. The marine fisheries cadets may join ship as technologist. After successful completion of COC examinations and experience, they are promoted up to skipper, chief engineer and chief technologist respectively.

In Merchant Shipping Sector

The skipper and chief engineer of fishing vessel may join in Merchant ship by converting their certificate as Deck officer Class-3 and engineer officer Class-3 respectively.

On the other hand, the cadets are recently joining in Merchant vessel by achieving CDC (continue Discharge certificate) directly.

In Naval base

Marine Fisheries Academy cadets have opportunity to apply as a candidate to join in naval base as ‘second lieutenant’ directly. Even on the basis of strong theoretical, practical, physical and moral training, the ex-cadet of MFA is performing in U.S. navy.

In fish Processing plants and coastal hatchery

The cadets of marine fisheries branch may join in sea food processing plants as ‘Production Executive’ or ‘Quality control officer’. Gaining proper experience, they are promoted up to general manager. On the other hand cadets of the same branch have opportunity to join at coastal hatchery as production consultant.

In dockyard and other shore base job

The engineer cadets may join in many ship building and repairing dockyard. They can also join in Power plants as service engineer or base engineer/engineer superintend. After completion of master mariner certificate, the nautical cadet may have opportunity to join as managerial post, ship surveyor, nautical examiner, Director General Etc in shipping departments.

Career's of Nautical Branch

CAREERS

OF

NAUTICAL BRANCH CADETS

According to the nautical cadets’ training programme the course has been split up into terms each of one year duration. On completion of each term and cadets appear at the year final examination and after three terms the average results are complied by National University for graduation degree. During the tenure of the course in the Academy, a cadet has to undergo practical training on board fishing vessels. After successful completion of training, once the cadets are passed out from the Academy they are likely to be found working in diverse positions as Navigating officers on board the fishing and merchant vessels of both Government and Private sectors both in home and abroad. The cadets get their salaries ands allowances plus free messing and lodging as admissible under the rules. They have to serve onboard fishing vessel as officer for a period of about 24 months before they become eligible to appear for fishing vessel Mate Examinations for the Certificate of Competency as Chief Mates. After obtaining mate Certificate of Competency and then acquiring about two years recognized watch keeping service as a certificated officer, one becomes eligible to appear for the Fishing vessel Skipper examinations for the Certificate of Competency as Skipper. After certain amount of sea service the experienced navigators also serve in different shore based organizations as Director, Manager or Advisor and as Instructor in institutions of maritime education.

Career's of Engineering Branch

CAREERS

OF

ENGINEERING BRANCH CADETS

According to the Engineer Cadets’ Training Programme the Marine Engineering Course has been split up into three terms each of one year duration. On completion of each term the cadets appear at the year final examination and after three terms the average results are compiled by National University for graduation degree. During the tenure of the course in the academy, a cadet has to undergo practical training at workshop of the Academy and also onboard Fishing vessels. After successful completion of training, once the cadets are passed out from the Academy they are likely to be found working in diverse positions as engineer officers on board the fishing and merchant vessels of both Government and Private sectors both in home and abroad. They get the salaries and allowances plus free messing and lodging as admissible under the rules. After acquiring about 12 months watch keeping service at sea, they become eligible to appear Fishing vessel Class-2 marine Engineers Examination for the Certificate of Competency as 2^nd Engineer. Then after acquiring 18 months further watch-keeping service as a Certified Engineer, one becomes eligible to appear for the Cass-1 Marine Engineers Examination Certificate of Competency as Chief Engineer and becomes eligible to be a Chief Engineer of the vessel. Marine engineers are also able to find positions on shore in the shipping industries or can expect to find employment at factories, with port authority, as builders at repair yards and as Instructor in institutions of maritime education.

Career's of Marine Fisheries Branch

CAREERS

OF

MARINE FISHERIES BRANCH CADETS

According to the marine fisheries cadet training programme the marine fisheries course has been split up into three terms each of one year duration. On completion of each term the cadets appear at the year final examination and after three terms the average results are compiled by National University for graduation degree. During the tenure of the course in the Academy a cadet has to undergo practical training onboard Fishing vessels, Fish Processing plants and aquaculture industries. During sea practice however, the employers may pay some subsistence allowance to the cadets. After successful completion of training, once the cadets are passed out from the Academy they are likely to be found working in diverse positions as fish processing technologists onboard the fishing vessels and in the fish processing plants & aquaculture farms both in home and abroad.

They get salaries and allowances plus free messing and lodging as admissible under the rules. After acquiring sufficient experience they become eligible to be General Manager or Chief Processing Technologist of a factory. The cadets also find them in the coastal shrimp hatchery, aquaculture farm, various public sector organizations and NGOs as quality control officers, managers and consultants etc.

Admission Procedures

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

Qualifications Required

Young boys of the country who wish to get admission in B.Sc. (Pass) Nautical and B.Sc. (Pass) Engineering course must have passed Secondary School certificate and Higher Secondary Certificate (Science group) Examinations with mathematics as compulsory or optional, or equivalent examinations at east in 2^nd Division or must obtain at least GPA 2.50 in both the Examinations. Candidates who wish to get admission in B.Sc. (Pass) Marine Fisheries course must have passed Secondary School Certificate and Higher Secondary Certificate (Science group) Examinations with Biology as compulsory or optional, or equivalent examination at least in 2^nd Division or must obtain at least GPA 2.50 in both the examinations. No candidate can apply for any or the above mentioned courses if anyone secures less than 33% marks in 4^th (Optional) subject.

The applicant must be an unmarried male citizen of Bangladesh within the age limit of 16 to 20 years. Physical fitness is a legal requirement for a sea going career, thus applicants must be declared mentally and physically fit by the Medical board constituted by the government for the purpose.

Written Examination

After receiving the applications admit cards are issued to the eligible applicants for appearing at written examination after thorough scrutiny of applications. Written examination is normally held in Chittagong and Dhaka Center or in any other divisional city if necessary. None is allowed to appear for any tests without admit Card. Written test is conducted on 5 subjects and out of those answering Physics, Chemistry & English including general awareness & reasoning is compulsory for all three branches. In addition, applicants of Nautical & Engineering branches have to answer Mathematics and applicants of Marine Fisheries branch have to answer Biology. Applicants who wish to be a candidate for all the three branches have to answer all five subjects. The written examination is conducted as per standard of HSC syllabus and questions are a combination of M.C.Q. and broad type. The candidates are required to answer in the question sheets in spaces specified for the same under or at right hand side of the questions, no extra sheet is given or allowed for the purpose. Use of only non-programmed electronic calculators in the examination hall is permitted.

Interview and Viva-Voice Test

Result of the written examinations is published in few national daily newspapers. In addition, the qualified candidates are also invited by a call up letter at their present mailing addresses for interview by a Selection Board constituted by the Administrative Ministry, at Chittagong. The Board judges the suitability of candidates on the following dimensions. (a) Personality (b) Speech & expression (c) Quantitative Aptitude (d) General Awareness & Knowledge (e) Extra-curricular activities.

Medical Examination

Candidates who qualify in the interview board is informed on the next working day and then they undergo Medical & Physical examination by a Medical Board constituted by the Government as per standards laid down. All the expenses incurred for medical examination, pathological tests and X-ray is borne by the candidates directly to the concerned board or pathological laboratory.

Special Eye Sight & Color Vision Test

Candidates qualified in interview board also have to undergo a Special Eye sight & Color Vision test as per standards laid down conducted by the Mercantile Marine Department, Chittagong. Expenses incurred for this test is also borne by the candidate directly to the concerned Department.

Final Selection

On completion of all the aforesaid tests a list of successful candidates is prepared in order of merit then it is placed to Academic Council for final selection as per rules approved by the Government for admission as cadet in the Academy. After selection of required number of cadets, the rest of the qualified candidates are placed in the Waiting list in order of merit. The result of the final selection including waiting list candidates is again published in the National Dailies. Subject to eye sight & color vision classification candidates are given branch as far as possible on the basis of their preference mentioned in their application forms. The candidates finally selected to undertake a course in the Academy informed by an Offer letter, which indicates:

1) The course in which the selected candidate will join.

2) Joining date and expiry date beyond which the offer is automatically canceled (No appeal against cancellation of offer after specified expiry date is entertained).

3) Fees and other expenses to be paid to the Academy on six monthly bases in advance.

4) Prescribed form of indemnity bond/bond to be signed jointly by the cadet and the surety/parent/guardian.