Live Correspondent: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government has been taking required measures to leverage the potentials of the blue economy to further expedite the country's development.
 
"We have already announced the blue economy policy giving importance on marine resources. We can make our economy more vibrant, stronger and solid using the marine resources and we're taking various measures to this end," she said.

The premier was addressing the Mujib Borsha Passing Out of 41st batch of the Marine Fisheries Academy at its campus in Chattogram. She joined the ceremony virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban here. She added that they are out to achieve the SDG-14 (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development).

According to the election manifesto of Awami League government, she said female cadets are being admitted to this academy for the development of women's education and their empowerment. She mentioned that the recruitment of female cadets started through the 32nd batch in 2010.

Sheikh Hasina said from 2018, Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) is being issued by the Department of Shipping for the cadets of this institution who completed pre-C training of the Department of Nautical and Marine Engineering to provide scope for getting job in the maritime sector abroad.

"As a result, the cadets of this academy have got the opportunity to get employment in the sea-going merchant ships and their fields of work have expanded all over the world."

Mentioning that Marine Fisheries Academy was affiliated to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University since 2018, she said four-year BSc (Hons) in Nautical Studies, BSc (Hons) in Engineering and BSc (Hons) in Marine Fisheries degrees are being offered from it.

"For this, after completing their education from this academy, the path of higher education of the cadets has become easier," she added. The prime minister said initiatives have been taken to install modern simulators (artificial sea training system) for the academy and "I think it will be done quickly".

Dhaka, 06 March (campuslive24.com)//bit