Private sector initiative urgent to meet demand for marine engrs

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Our Correspondent
CHITTAGONG, Dec 05: The need for one or more marine academy in the private sector is felt as the only government-run Marine Academy at Patenga here alone cannot produce adequate number of marine engineers, according to concerned sources.
With the establishment of marine academies in the private sector, hundreds of skilled marine engineers will be trained who will not only meet the local needs but also, through their employment abroad, will emerge as a great source of earning foreign currency.
Due to lack of proper rules and regulations in the relevant field, no privately managed marine academy has so far been established in the country.
Sources informed, a good number of schools, colleges and universities have already been established in the private sector and thousands of different professionals like doctors, engineers, agriculturists, pharmacists are coming out from the privately run institutions. But as there is no marine academy at the private level, adequate number of marine engineers are not being trained though such professionals have a vast opportunity both at home and abroad.
Sources further said, in our neighbouring countries like, India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Singapore from where a good number of marine engineers are coming out annually from the private marine academies operating there.
But due to lack of specific guidelines at the government level, no private marine academy is being established and the need for marine engineers remain unfulfilled. Ultimately, the government is being deprived of the valuable foreign currency despite having potential on this sector.
When contacted Harbour Master of Chittagong Port told the FE that 200 marine engineers were coming out annually from Chittagong Marine Academy. As there remained a vast scope of employment of marine engineers both at home and abroad, he favoured establishment of one or more marine academy in the private sector to meet the demand for such professionals.
Meanwhile, the District Administration launched mobile court against unlicenced diagnostic centres in the city and fined Lab Expert and Test Inn Diagnostic Centres based at Jamal Khan Tk 5000 each.
Another report adds: the task of providing registration number to three wheeler CNG run autorickshaws operating inside Chittagong district has been postponed.