Shah Momin
Visionary Mariner
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"I aspired to join the profession of merchant shipping since childhood and still recall the memories of living next to the Chittagong port where I saw the ships and the merchant navy officers everyday from our house, wanting to be one of them,” says Shah Momin, with a hint of nostalgia. His eyes remind one of the determination with which he pursued his dream. Grateful to the creator and his well-wishers, he adds, “I am one of those fortunate few who were able to make their dreams come true.”
Born in a small ward of Naogaon, he studied and lived in his hometown. Momin joined the merchant Navy after his secondary examinations in 1994. For the next seven years he worked as a mariner and went to UK for his higher education. During his time in the UK, Momin was planning to set up an institute that would offer education of an international standard at a lower cost to potential mariners.
“From my previous job experience with several merchant vessels, I learnt that Bangladesh has a huge potential in this sector and there is a chance to earn huge remittances if we use our workforce in this area. I started to explore ways and opportunities to make a way towards my dream,” he says.
In 2011, Shah Marine & Business Institute (SMBI) was founded in partnership with South Tyneside College, South Shield -- a leading maritime training institute in the United Kingdom. SMBI is a private limited company providing an international standard maritime academy for the first time in Bangladesh.
SMBI provides a direct route of entrance to South Tyneside College from Bangladesh. Two academic routes for a career in merchant shipping are offered with the advantage of serving less time at sea and more time on shore. It also provides access to ship yards and ocean-going facilities. This institution is offering a degree from a renowned marine college. At SMBI, a student can earn a British qualification at lower expenses, in two years time, half of which will be completed in Dhaka and the final year to be completed in the United Kingdom.
“I know this is a huge investment and quite a challenging one. I had a relaxed and quite a stable profession ahead of me,” Momin adds. As a young investor and a dream-maker, Momin's institution is a pioneer in this field in Bangladesh and is honoured by the British High Commission.
It is a milestone initiative for Bangladesh and we salute this young mind who works on his dream to make this specialised education affordable and accessible for the Bangladeshi people.
By Sultana Razia
Rashik Bin Manzur
Pilot
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Rashik completed his O' Levels from Scholastica in May 2008 and joined Bangladesh Flying Club in August the same year. He carried on with his studies, completing his A' Levels in June 2009 and joining university in August 2009. The same year he appeared for the examination held by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh for his Private Pilot's Licence and Commercial Pilot's Licence upon completing his flying hour requirement. He received his Private Pilot's License in August 2010 and Commercial Pilot's License in December 2010. In the same month, he joined Biman Bangladesh Airlines. He is currently waiting for his training to begin while continuing his studies in International Business at North South University.
“My father is a pilot. He used to be a fighter pilot in the Bangladesh Air Force and then retired to become an airline pilot. I used to watch him go to work dressed up in his uniform and I could not wait to have a uniform of my own some day. He has a big role in whatever I have achieved to this day,” says Manzur.
Keeping his studies on track while continuing at Flying Club was not always easy for Manzur. “At times I felt like I was in a relentless labyrinth of exams. And of course my social life suffered terribly in those two years,” he says. Manzur plans to become an entrepreneur in the future. He mentions how important it is for our country to earn foreign currency and the airline and tourism industry seem perfect for this.
“The way I see it, the only way to make a difference here is to educate myself as much as I can while climbing my way up to become a CIP. Only then can I help Bangladesh. I have no plans of settling anywhere else. Bangladesh is where I want to be. We always focus on the problems and limitations, but if we stop for a while and really look, we will notice that Bangladesh is making progress everyday,” he adds. Manzur's optimism and faith in Bangladesh does not end there. “I think in 10 years time, Bangladesh can reach newer heights. We are providing labour force all over the world; we can utilise that for our own development as well.”
About his hopes and dreams involving the country, he says, “All we need is more unanimity; a stronger unity among the people, one that transcends religion, gender and social background. If we all work for a single dream, I am certain Bangladeshis will have a much better living standard.”
By Naziba Basher