The Marine Academy, Juldia, Chittagong – A Brief History

By Captain Khairul Anam, 9N

For the information of all Bangladeshi Mariners who might not have been aware of some basic maritime facts, I quote below some information on history of Marine Academy situated in Juldia, Chittagong as sourced from Wikipedia and also the Marine Academy website:

“World scenario was changing fast after the WWII (1939–46). Pakistan along with East Bengal (Bangladesh) became independent in 1947 from the British rule. Thereafter, the then Pakistan Government looked into developing various industrial training facilities. As such a scheme for establishing a Marine Academy beside Bay of Bengal had been sanctioned in 1952. Juldia Point (valleys of Juldia-Rangadia) at the Karnaphuly river-mouth at Bay of Bengal was chosen for the planned academy. Interesting to note that the reason was to create a ‘ship-like environment’ due to geographical location the Juldia Point was considered as it was almost like a ship but not floating! Such suitable facility/location was unique in the country and was not available from Suez to South-East Asian countries except India. (Project Plan – Development of Marine Academy, Phase – II [1973-1980]).

Building basic infrastructure commenced. The establishment budget was Taka 31.19 lakhs in 1952, then increased to Taka 53 lakhs in 1959 and finally to Taka 58.3 lakhs in 1961. The initial project was completed with the aim of training 22 Nautical Cadet Officers and 22 Marine Engineering Cadet Officers. The new-built ‘Mercantile Marine Academy’ went into functioning from 3 September 1962.

Afterwards, during our Great Liberation War 1971 the then Pakistan Government shifted the Academy’s function to Karachi leaving this Academy abandoned. Immediately after liberation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman resumed it as Marine Academy with appointing Capt. (Merchant Marine) M L Rahman as the Commandant (first Bangalee Commandant). Bangabandhu also took a project titled “Development of Marine Academy (1973-1980)” and could raise the Academy at the forefront of maritime professional excellence in South Asia.

The campus is located in a beautiful picturesque surrounding on the lush-green hills and valleys of Juldia, Chittagong on the east bank of river Karnaphuly. This is 20 kilometres south of the Chittagong city.

TIME LINE: 1952 – 1972

1952 Government took the decision of establishment of a Marine Academy at Chittagong.

1962 Mercantile Marine Academy was established under Colombo Plan; commenced functioning from 3 September 1962.

1971 Pakistan Government shifted the Academy at Karachi leaving MMA abandoned.

1972 Bangabandhu started it as “Marine Academy” and appointed Capt. M L Rahman as the first Bangalee Commandant.”

It is clear from the brief history of Marine Academy, Chittagong that it commenced functioning as Mercantile Marine Academy from its inception on 3 September 1962. When I joined the Marine Academy in October 1970, all the official documents were in the name of Mercantile Marine Academy with the letters MMA contained within its logo on some documents, educational materials etc. Later when I returned to the Academy with my Bangladeshi batch mates in the middle of 1972, it was called Marine Academy, Chittagong but also called Marine Academy, Bangladesh at some places. Marine Academy was closed from mid-1971 to mid-1972 due to the liberation war so we sat idle at home for a year.

When our liberation war ended in December 1971, Pakistan had already started its own temporary Academy at Haji Camp Karachi under the name of Pakistan Marine Academy. I don’t know when our Academy changed its name to Bangladesh Marine Academy – probably some people in our Academy wanted to have the Pakistani culture continued in the way how Pakistan Marine Academy was named and maybe changed the name of our Academy to Bangladesh Marine Academy in the same way Pakistanis called their Academy – there might have been some fascination by a section of people or mariners towards following Pakistani trends, I do not know! Otherwise why such a change when the Academy was already officially called “Marine Academy, Chittagong” and the Academy logo still has the words “Marine Academy Bangladesh” inserted within it – see logo reproduced from the web – it was initially never called Bangladesh Marine Academy or BMA.

So one can see from the above information on our alma mater that it had a deep rooted connection with the very sweet name of “Juldia”, even from before it was established – ie from the very planning stage in 1952. All our incoming posts from the loved ones during our Academy life, the Post Office (PO) was clearly stated as Juldia on the envelopes. How we can now disassociate ourselves with such a lovely place situated in the valley of Juldia – a tranquil place called Juldia – where we had spent the best two years of our lives!

No wonder why Juldia is so close to my heart and will remain so for ever. Juldia was my love, soil of Juldia gave me shelter when I ran away from the Academy under Pakistani oppression in March 1971, Juldia gave me a footing in building my career, Juldia is my life! How can I forget you my love?

By the way, this is the official logo currently used by both Marine Academy, Bangladesh and AABMA on their official websites. So, where has the acronym BMA come from in the context of Marine Academy situated in Juldia?