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CHATTOGRAM Construction work of permanent campus of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University (BSMRMU) is going on in full swing here.
Authorities said all construction work is set to be finished within 2025.
They said once completed the BSMRMU will have seven faculties. Some of the faculty buildings will be constructed within 2023 while construction of all buildings of the university is likely to be finished within 2025, they added.
Talking with the FE, Vice-Chancellor (VC) Rear Admiral M Khaled Iqbal informed that according to the Detailed Project Plan, a total of 35 buildings will be constructed for the BSMRMU. He said all permanent buildings and structures on the campus are required be built on lands much higher than the sea level, as has been mentioned in the plan.
Considering risks from natural disasters of any magnitude that may take place in future, construction planners and engineers are erecting structures after developing the land elevating them to a certain height from the sea level.
"We are constructing the buildings at least 8 feet above the sea level as roads are 10 feet high from the sea level. Considering the risk of natural disaster in future, we are maintaining that height," the VC said.
"We have already completed architectural and detailed designs of all buildings. The pilling work is continuing now while we can start the construction works of the academic and faculty buildings next year. We have already completed a total of 139 boring work for pilling. Once completed, the BSMRMU will have 35 buildings," he stated.
Noting that the marine university is the first of its kind in the country, he said it will be a residential university. He also said the government approved a total of 2,850 manpower in the organogram of the university.
According to the organogram, the varsity will have 37 subjects and seven faculties. After completing construction of all faculty, academic, administrative buildings, laboratory, lavatory, dormitory or residential buildings, the university will be fully opened in 2025.
"We will admit 6,000 students within 2025," he informed.
The VC also said that after completing construction of academic building and residential halls in 2023, they will start shifting the academic activities from Dhaka to Chattogram. Finally, the shifting will be completed in 2025, he mentioned.
Presently, the BSMRMU has enrolled 1,000 students who are completing their Honours and Masters degrees, he further said, noting "There are 12 universities in maritime sector of the world including BSMRMU. The demand of specialised universities like BSMRMU is increasing day by day."
"In the first phase, the government provided a total of Tk 11.83 billion (Tk 1,183 crore) under DPP of the BSMRMU while we will get more money in the second to complete the university which is being established here with the commitment of producing world-class maritime manpower," he added.
Sources said, the BSMRMU is being built under a project, titled 'Enhancement of Marine Academy into Maritime University and establishment of five new marine academies in Bangladesh'.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the university on February 26, 2011, on the foot of Deyang hill, just beside Bangladesh Marine Academy and south bank of Karnaphuli River.