The global workplace is becoming more diverse with the times. The modern world is therefore constantly moving towards multidisciplinary education. And a unique example of multidisciplinary education to meet future needs is the Department of Port and Shipping Management. The discipline of Port and Shipping Management consists of theoretical and practical aspects of management, maritime operations and logistics. Although it is still not well known in Bangladesh, there is a skyrocketing popularity in the outside world. Especially since 90% of global trade is sea trade, the importance of port and shipping management is as immense as sea trade. Mohammad Mujahed Hossain Chowdhury, assistant professor of port and shipping management department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, highlighted this important issue. Shah Biliya Zulfikar interviewed him-
The Daily Campus: When did the influence of Port and Shipping Management start?
Mujahed Hossain: Despite the fact that Bangladesh is a maritime nation, no educational institution has played an effective role for a long time on the role of ports and shipping in the blue economy. Therefore, in 2015, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University launched a master’s program in this subject. A bachelor program in this subject was launched in 2018 due to its popularity in industry and academia. Currently its 5th batch has entered the university. It should be noted that in March 2023, Chittagong University decided to start Port and Shipping Management Department. Besides, Canadian University of Bangladesh has been conducting Bachelor and Masters programs for the past few years under the Department of Shipping and Maritime Science.
The Daily Campus: What subjects are taught?
Mujahed Hossain: Contemporary and international standard syllabus has been prepared for this department keeping in mind the needs of the industry. Along with all the subjects studied in the general BBA degree, there are various subjects related to maritime operations and logistics. Notable among which are Logistics Management, Cargo Operation and Fleet Management, Port and Terminal Operations, Maritime Economics, International Trade and Commercial Law, Maritime Transport Geography, Operations Management, Marine Insurance, Port Planning and Design, Shipping and Port Finance, Air Freight Management. , Practical issues like Transport Security and Risk Management, Project Management and Ship Brokering and Chartering. Apart from this, all the students are also given the opportunity to gain experiential knowledge from the high level individuals of the industry through three professional short courses.
The Daily Campus: How are the higher education and research opportunities in this subject?
Mujahed Hossain: There are golden opportunities for the students of this department in the field of higher education and research. The university has already signed MoUs with 12 maritime universities in UK, China and India to further advance higher education and research. Also, there are ample opportunities for the students of this department in terms of scholarships in foreign universities.
As the department is multidisciplinary, there are also opportunities for post graduation or PhD in Maritime Management, Maritime Affairs, Maritime Operations, Maritime Logistics and Shipping. In this case, Australia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, China, United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Turkey have good opportunities. But not limited to the maritime sector, there are opportunities to pursue higher education in supply chain and logistics fields. In this regard, there are opportunities for higher education and research in a significant number of universities in the United States, Canada, Norway, Denmark and Germany.
The Daily Campus: Tell us about job opportunities and opportunities?
Mujahed Hossain: Port and Shipping Management is a new subject but the job field is huge. Where the demand for skilled manpower is ever present. Multinational and domestic shipping companies in the country are engaged in overall maintenance and supervision of multiple vessels. There are more than 500 multinational and domestic shipping companies in the country, which are engaged in overall maintenance and supervision of multiple vessels. In this case, the overall responsibility of the ship’s crew selection, bunkering management, maintaining communication with the forwarder, determining the route is assigned to the shipping companies. Students of Port and Shipping Management department are going to be the most reliable future skilled manpower to fulfill this responsibility. Moreover, there are golden opportunities to work in freight forwarding companies. The number of multinational and domestic freight forwarding companies in Bangladesh is 1131 whose main business is international cargo or freight shipment.
Besides, our country has Chittagong, Mongla, Payra and Matarbari sea ports. Domestic and foreign private terminal operators are responsible for operating the internal terminal of the port. Being the only department in port management education, students of this department can work in government seaports as well as multinational terminal operating companies. Besides England Container Depot, Ship Broking & Chartering, Pharmaceutical, Ready Made Garments, Leather etc. Industries Commercial (Export/Import).
