Academic Challenges of BMA Cadets Without a Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree

Academic Challenges of BMA Cadets Without a Four-
Year Bachelor’s Degree

by Mohammad Abu Solaiman Chowdhury

Academic drawbacks of the Bangladesh Marine Academy (BMA) cadets (Chattogram) in pursuing
university education or professional jobs (especially in the USA) due to the
absence of a four-year academic bachelor’s degree.

The maritime profession demands discipline, technical competence, and years of structured
training. Cadets graduating from the Bangladesh Marine Academy (BMA) follow a
rigorous pathway that combines academic study, practical workshop training, and substantial
sea-going experience. By the time they qualify for their first professional Certificate of
Competency (CoC), they have invested more than four years in education and hands-on work
experience.

Despite this significant commitment, many BMA cadets encounter a persistent academic
barrier when they attempt to continue their education at universities around the world. The
core issue is straightforward: although their total training period exceeds four years, they
often do not receive a formal four-year academic bachelor’s degree from an accredited
university. This gap creates real limitations for career progression, professional recognition,
and access to higher education. Fortunately, after the establishment of Bangladesh Maritime
University (BMU), perhaps the BMA ex-cadets of the 48th batch and onward are receiving
BMU-accredited course certificates across diverse pathways, enabling them to choose future
study and career paths. However, the ex-cadets from the 1st to the 47th batch are still facing
the same issues in having their professional achievements accredited or acknowledged by any
University, locally or globally.

On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude towards Capt. M. Mostafa Kamal and
Capt. M. A. Abu Sayed, who conducted a timely and rigorous research and established the
fact to exhibit the recognition of STCW CoC Class 1 qualifications as Equivalent to an
Academic Master’s Degree. I can’t agree more with this article and its proposals.

The Structure of the BMA Training Program

The training framework for nautical and engineering cadets is aligned with the international
Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)
requirements. It is delivered in three progressive phases designed to build competence
through both classroom learning and practical experience.

Phase I: Pre-Sea Academic Training (Two Years)
Cadets begin with two years of structured academic study and foundational technical training
at the academy. At the end of this phase:

Title: “Academic Challenges of BMA Cadets Without a Four-
Year Bachelor’s Degree”

[Mohammad Abu Solaiman Chowdhury (28E, USA), ME (Class 1), MBA (UTAS)]

SOLAIMAN (28E), 28 APRIL 2026 2

• Nautical cadets receive a B.Sc. (Pass) in Maritime Science [from 27th batch
  onwards]
• Engineering cadets receive a B.Sc. (Pass) in Marine Engineering [from 27th batch
  onwards]
• These degrees are typically awarded by Chittagong University [27th batch] and by
  the National University | Bangladesh [28th batch onwards]
  While this qualification confirms completion of initial academic training, it represents only aA
  two-year academic program rather than a full four-year bachelor’s degree.

Phase II: Sea-Time Training (Professional Work Experience)
Following pre-sea education, cadets join ships as trainees to complete mandatory sea-time.
This period is essential for developing operational competence, professional judgment, and
practical familiarity with shipboard systems and procedures.
Sea-time is not merely employment. It is a structured training requirement recognized
internationally and supervised under maritime regulations. During this phase, cadets gain
progressive responsibility and real-world exposure that cannot be replicated in a classroom
environment.

Phase III: Advanced Training and Competency Preparation
After completing required sea-time, engineering cadets return to the academy for
approximately one year of additional study and workshop training. Deck cadets typically
continue accumulating sea-time while preparing for professional examinations.
Successful completion of all requirements allows candidates to sit for their first professional
certification:

• Class-3 Certificate of Competency (CoC) for Deck Officers
• Class-4 Certificate of Competency (CoC) for Marine Engineering Officers
  At this stage, most candidates have completed more than four years of combined academic
  study, technical training, and professional work experience.

The Core Academic Challenge

Title: “Academic Challenges of BMA Cadets Without a Four-
Year Bachelor’s Degree”

[Mohammad Abu Solaiman Chowdhury (28E, USA), ME (Class 1), MBA (UTAS)]

SOLAIMAN (28E), 28 APRIL 2026 3
Although the training pathway clearly exceeds four years in duration, the academic credential
awarded to many cadets remains limited to the initial two-year B.Sc. (Pass) degree issued
after Phase I.
No additional academic degree is typically granted upon completion of Phase II and Phase
III, even though these phases involve structured learning, assessment, and competency
development.

This situation creates a mismatch between:

• Actual duration of study & training: More than four years
• Formal academic recognition: Two-year degree
  From an academic and administrative standpoint, universities evaluate credentials primarily
  based on documented credit hours and degree duration. Most international institutions
  require:
• A four-year bachelor’s degree
• A minimum of 120 academic credits
  Without these documents and transcripts, the applicants often fail to meet admission
  requirements for graduate programs or advanced academic studies.

A Practical Example of the Problem
Consider the case of an engineering cadet who followed the standard BMA pathway:

1. He completed the Phase I course in BMA and received a B.Sc. (Pass) in Marine
   Engineering issued by the National University.
2. He completed Phase II and Phase III as required.
3. He successfully obtained the Class-4 Certificate of Competency (Marine
   Engineering Officer).
   By this point, the cadet had invested more than four years in training and professional
   development.
   However, when he attempted to pursue further education at an international university, his
   academic credentials were evaluated solely based on the two-year B.Sc. (pass) degree issued
   by the National University of Bangladesh after Phase I, which is not assessed as an
   undergraduate program for a Marine Engineering degree by any global university.

Title: “Academic Challenges of BMA Cadets Without a Four-
Year Bachelor’s Degree”

[Mohammad Abu Solaiman Chowdhury (28E, USA), ME (Class 1), MBA (UTAS)]

SOLAIMAN (28E), 28 APRIL 2026 4
Because this qualification did not meet the standard definition of a four-year bachelor’s
degree, his application for higher education was not accepted.
This outcome is not unusual. Many institutions apply consistent academic standards, and
most engineering programs worldwide are structured as four-year degrees with defined credit
requirements.

Comparison with Graduates Holding Four-Year
Bachelor’s Degrees
Cadets who complete maritime education programs that include a recognized four-year
academic degree are generally in a stronger position. Their credentials provide:

• Direct eligibility for postgraduate education
• Greater flexibility for career transition
• Recognition across international academic systems
• Enhanced professional mobility
  The difference lies not in competence or experience, but in formal academic documentation.
  As a reference, the Indian Maritime University accredits Class-4 (4th Engineer) and Class 2
  (Deck) Certificate holders as Bachelor of Marine Engineering and Bachelor of Maritime
  Studies, respectively. Similarly, the same university accredits Class 1 (Chief Engineer) and
  Class -1 (Master Mariner) COC holders as equivalent to an academic Master’s degree in the
  respective discipline.

Why This Matters for the Maritime Profession

Modern maritime careers increasingly intersect with fields such as logistics, maritime law,
port management, and international trade. Many officers eventually move into shore-based
roles, management positions, or specialized technical fields.
Advancement in these areas often requires further education, including:

• Master’s degrees
• Professional certifications
• Academic research programs
• Management or engineering specialization

Title: “Academic Challenges of BMA Cadets Without a Four-
Year Bachelor’s Degree”

[Mohammad Abu Solaiman Chowdhury (28E, USA), ME (Class 1), MBA (UTAS)]

SOLAIMAN (28E), 28 APRIL 2026 5
Without a recognized four-year bachelor’s degree, otherwise qualified professionals may find
their career options unnecessarily restricted.

Proposed Solutions for Consideration by Relevant Authorities

Addressing this issue does not require restructuring the entire training system. Instead, it calls
for aligning academic recognition with the actual scope and duration of training already
completed by cadets.

Proposal: Award a Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree Upon CoC Eligibility
When cadets become eligible for their first professional Certificate of Competency:

• Deck cadets could be awarded a Bachelor of Maritime Science
• Engineering cadets could be awarded a Bachelor of Marine Engineering
  This degree should be issued by an accredited university, such as:
• National University of Bangladesh
• Bangladesh Maritime University
  The degree would formally recognize the full training pathway, including academic study,
  workshop training, and supervised sea-time.
  The following points can be considered by the relevant Universities.
  To Integrate Additional Academic Subjects to Meet Credit Requirements
  To ensure compliance with international academic standards, universities could incorporate a
  small number of complementary subjects into the curriculum, either project-based distance
  learning or undertake the courses during their Phase III studies. These courses would
  strengthen both academic and professional development while helping programs reach the
  standard credit threshold.
  Examples include:
• Professional Communication
• Technical Report Writing
• Basics of Maritime Law
• Port Management
• Chartering and Shipping Practice

Title: “Academic Challenges of BMA Cadets Without a Four-
Year Bachelor’s Degree”

[Mohammad Abu Solaiman Chowdhury (28E, USA), ME (Class 1), MBA (UTAS)]

SOLAIMAN (28E), 28 APRIL 2026 6

• International Trade and Logistics
• Procurement and Inventory Management,
• Supply Chain Management
• Maritime Environmental Management
• ISO, ISM, MLC codes,
• Cyber Security Management,
• Basic of Maritime Insurance – P&I, H&M
• Maritime Finance
• Emerging issues in Maritime Trade
• Maritime Business Development
  These subjects are directly relevant to maritime operations and marine engineering and would
  add measurable academic value without disrupting existing training structures.

The Ultimate Objective

The goal is simple and practical.
Cadets who complete more than four years of structured education, training, and professional
experience should receive formal academic recognition that accurately reflects their effort
and competence.
An internationally recognized four-year bachelor’s degree with at least 120 academic credits
would:

• Remove barriers to higher education
• Improve global mobility for maritime professionals
• Strengthen the reputation of maritime training institutions
• Align academic certification with real-world training standards
  Most importantly, it would ensure that dedicated cadets are not disadvantaged by
  administrative technicalities after investing years in demanding professional preparation.

Closing Perspective

The maritime industry depends on highly trained professionals who operate complex vessels
in challenging environments. The training pathway for BMA cadets already meets rigorous
international standards in terms of skill and experience.
What remains is a matter of academic recognition.

Title: “Academic Challenges of BMA Cadets Without a Four-
Year Bachelor’s Degree”

[Mohammad Abu Solaiman Chowdhury (28E, USA), ME (Class 1), MBA (UTAS)]

SOLAIMAN (28E), 28 APRIL 2026 7
Providing a structured pathway to a four-year bachelor’s degree would not change the
training itself. It would simply ensure that the qualifications awarded accurately represent the
depth, duration, and value of the education these cadets have already completed, which

The author is from the 28th batch of Engineering, Bangladesh Marine Academy, Chattogram. He holds a ME (Class 1), MBA (UTAS)]. He lives in the United States.