shanto-mariam foundation
TRANSCRIPT
Shanto-Mariam Foundation
a service and human-welfare oriented organization
Md. Imamul Kabir Shanto, the founder of the Shanto-Mariam Foundation, is a
valiant freedom fighter of the nation. He joined the liberation war at the young
age of seventeen. The goal of the liberation war that the Father of the Nation,
Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, called for was not only to gain the
geographical freedom, but also to establish a golden Bengal of a dignified
nation through economic emancipation and cultural development of the
people where economic disparity would be eliminated. We achieved the
geographic independence, but neither we achieved the economic freedom nor
the cultural development. With strong commitment to fulfilling this task and
bringing the benefits of independence to the common people through
expansion of job oriented, creative and cultural education, Mr. Shanto
established the Shanto-Mariam Foundation and its affiliated service and
human-welfare oriented organizations and educational institutions.
Mr. Shanto’s education life in childhood started in a missionary school in
Tejgaon, Dhaka. While he walked past by the rail lines to and from the school,
he observed the poor helpless children of the slum. Seeing them and the
orphan classmates in his school as well, affection filled his heart. His mind
questioned- why are people poor and what is its solution? When he was in the
eighth grade, he came across the autobiography of the great revolutionary,
Che Guevara. Reading the biography, he thought establishment of socialism
through revolution can remove the disparity between the rich and the poor.
Therefore, he engaged himself in student politics to improve the status of the
poor people and attain their economic freedom. In response to the Father of
the Nation’s call for the liberation war, Mr. Shanto took active part in the war
to attain the ideals of the independence. After the ending of the nine month
struggle and the surrender of enemy forces on 16th December, when hundreds
of freedom fighters were returning to Dhaka crossing the river Buriganga in the
first hour of the victory on the 17th December, very sadly, eleven of his fellow
fighters, which included some of his close friends, died in the water in a dire
boat-capsize. This event strongly affected his mind. After the independence,
young Shanto was greatly aggrieved seeing that the sacrifices of the martyrs
were not properly appreciated. He then actively participated in politics for the
peace of the souls of his fellow fighters, their proper appreciation and
establishment of the goals of the liberation war.
After the sad killing of Bangabondhu and his family in 1975, when the Dhaka
University opened, he participated actively in the first protest against the then
military government. He got involved in political conflicts and fights with the
military government supported student organization of that time in the Dhaka
University, which subsequently became a long term conflict. At that time,
some of his close friends died in the premises of the Dhaka University. Later, in
the face of strong pressure from the military government and without seeing
any other alternative, Mr. Shanto was forced to leave the country along with
some of his friends. He then cried in the aircraft of his journey and thought
why he had to leave his own country. These events in his life caused much
grievance and sorrow in young Shanto’s mind. He then promised himself that
he would never come back to this unfortunate country. At the same time, he
thought he also had many mistakes in his life. He vowed that he would make
himself a true human being with goodness. He realized that if bandit
Nizamuddin could become a saint even after killing many people, why he
would not be able to become a true human being. Travelling through
countries, he finally reached Germany. German nation made strong impression
on him. They are a warrior nation. Despite being defeated in two world wars,
they are still thriving as a great developed nation in the world because of their
hard work, appropriate job oriented education and deep respect for own
culture. Seeing this, Mr. Shanto realized that establishment of socialism
through armed revolution is not the way to improve the status and economic
freedom of the people, rather the key is job oriented education. At the same
time immense respect for native culture and heritage is needed to instill
humane qualities in people, which is possible through cultural education. At
that time, he came to learn about the life and work of Mother Teresa and
strongly felt the desire to serve the humanity getting inspired by the
philosophy “man is for humanity”.
As we have a creative and talented people, vast natural resources, well-
integrated geographic border, very fertile land and potential for tourism in a
beautiful country, it is possible to bring the benefits of the independence to
the common people through these means. Mr. Shanto then realized that the
question that he had in mind since his childhood- why people are poor and
what is its solution- the answer and solution to this question can come through
this. So to fulfill the incomplete tasks of liberation war, bring the benefits of
independence to the common people- the cherished dream of his life, bring
peace to the souls of the fellow martyred freedom fighters and friends and to
build a model of education in the country following Germany, he came back to
his own country with the sole commitment to work for human-welfare,
abandoning his earlier decision not to come back.
After returning home, he realized that he needed immense amount of money
to carry out his dreams. He started business. One after another, he built
business organizations, of which Sundarban Courier Service (pvt.) Ltd. is the
most prominent that gained popularity among the people as an example of
service oriented business. With the money he earned from his business
organizations, he first established the Shanto-Mariam Foundation, a non-
political, service and human-welfare oriented organization, to realize his
cherished dreams and to provide job-oriented, creative and cultural education
to the underprivileged and neglected people of the country. This organization
has four work plans:
1. Building human resource: Human resource is our principal resource. The
foundation works to transform our vast population into a skilled human
resource through expansion of job oriented education and training, and
enable them gain employment at home and abroad and earn foreign
exchange.
2. Make use of our natural resources: Utilize the natural and indigenous
resources of Bangladesh such as jute, bamboo, cane, leather and textile.
These resources are being ruined day by day due to lack of their proper
use. For proper use of these resources, we need to transform them into
world class quality products and market them. Though we have technical
and vocational education to some extent, we need education on design,
quality and marketing subjects in order transform the resources into
quality products. Therefore, the foundation chose to promote design
education as its second work program and for the first time in
Bangladesh integrated design education with technical and vocational
education and thus gave its completeness.
3. Expansion of distance education: The prevailing education system is
forcing the country to shift towards a degree culture. In order to free us
from the curse of educated unemployment that resulted because of lack
of job-oriented education in the country, and to provide opportunities to
the education deprived people of remote places, we need expansion of
distance and online education. Through job oriented education system,
trained youths can enter the job market at the age of eighteen and
nineteen years, as they do in the developed countries, instead of twenty
five and twenty six years as is the practice in our country, and the nation
can get millions of hours of productive labour from the skilled and
energetic hands. This will help build the nation and the job holder will
subsequently be able to attain higher education in their chosen fields
through distance and online education.
4. Development of cultural education: Bangladesh is the common home of
the people of different religions and ethnicity where they are living in
harmony. Religion is man’s belief but culture is the common bond that
unites different people of different religion and ethnicity. Therefore, to
establish us as a nation with high dignity and high humane qualities,
cultural education and its development are very important.
As a first step towards implementing these four activities, he established the
Shanto-Niketon in a purchased forty bigha land in Sinaboho, Gazipur in 1994 to
create a permanent complex for job-oriented, design and cultural education.
There he started work to establish a residential vocational and technical
training centre for the helpless orphans, underprivileged poor children and
adolescents, and the neglected children in brothels and jails, to make them
self-reliant and a rehabilitation centre for the neglected old people of the
society. These works are in progress. In addition, steps have been taken to
establish residential facility to educate children from 1st grade to 8th grade
under the Shanto-Mariam School of Creative Technology in Uttarkhan, Dhaka.
Mr. Shanto believes that our traditional education system should make the
job-oriented education mandatory in the school and college levels to make our
young people job-oriented. This will help to ensure that their labour plays a
special role in the nation building and they will not likely be manipulated by
any vested interest group for their own ulterior purpose as a result of their
economic hardship.
Mr. Shanto, the inspired patriot and valiant freedom fighter, believes that the
greatest achievement of our nation is the independence of the country and the
freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives to achieve this victory are the
greatest children of the nation. So, he established “Shahid Muktijoddha Smrity
Foundation” commemorating the memory of his eleven fellow-fighters in
order to present the real story of our liberation war to the new generation. At
the same time, he built “Shahid Muktijoddha Smritisthombho”, a mausoleum
at their graves in the new Azimpur Graveyard. These aside, he regularly
provides help for the welfare of the injured freedom fighters and their families
and the families of martyrs as well. And every year, he observes the 17th
December as the “Shahid Muktijoddha Day”.
The principal aim of the Shanto-Mariam Foundation is: develop enlightened
people and create a prosperous nation. As the next step towards
implementation of this goal, he established the Shanto-Mariam Academy of
Creative Technology to impart job-oriented, creative, cultural education and
distance education. Under the “Education for All” program of the Foundation,
this Academy imparts short and long courses in art, music, dance, recitation-
acting, musical instruments and job-oriented and design subjects as well. The
Academy also offers distance education in SSC and HSC courses under the
Bangladesh Open University Distance Education program and Automotive,
Dressmaking and Tailoring, and Interior Drafting with AutoCad trade course
programs under the Bangladesh Technical Education Board.
Then, education enthusiast Mr. Shanto established the Shanto-Mariam
Institute of Creative Technology to raise the standard of the design and job
oriented education in the country to the international level. This Institute
offers Higher National Diploma and National Diploma programs under the
Edexcel International of UK in Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design,
Fashion Merchandising and Media as well.
Mr. Shanto did not stop his programs there. In order to implement the four
work plans of the Foundation and to provide job-oriented, creative and
cultural education at higher level, he established the first design university in
the region, the Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, by
combining the academic activities of the two educational organizations, and
integrating with them the distance education. This University was established
under the Shanto-Mariam Foundation in 2003 and at present it is being run
under the ‘Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology Trust’ according
to the Private University of Act, 2010.
The University is implementing its activities in dual mode- one is in the
traditional campus-based education and other is the distance education
program. The University is offering its academic programs under three
academic faculties:
• Faculty of Design and Technology
• Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts
• Faculty of Management and General Studies
In order to contribute to the development of country and the nation, Mr.
Shanto took the program to establish Shanto-Mariam Centres in different parts
of the country to promote his educational initiatives by integrating with the
Sundarban Courier Service. The main aim of these Centers was to provide
distance education, job-oriented, creative and cultural education to students
where they could avail lessons on design, fine art, music, dance and crafts. It
was intended that Garments and Craft Villages would be established by taking
advantage of natural and other resources of the students’ localities. This would
help to provide employment opportunities to the people by keeping them in
their locality and earn foreign exchange by exporting products from these
villages. This would help the nation to free herself from the curse of
unemployment. However, regrettably, the Government stopped the distance
education program succumbing to ill campaign of a vested interest group, and
as a result the activities of the Centres came to a standstill.
Mr. Shanto believes that the economic, social and cultural, and even the
political problems of the country as well, would be resolved to a great extent if
these activities are implemented.
In order to set the activities as a model for the nation, he started “Education in
Exchange of Work” though his Foundation. He established the Creative
Destination, a design and product development and display centre, to
integrate education with the market and to raise the standard of education to
the international level by responding to the market demands. This organization
is promoting the creative works of the students within the country and abroad.
Also, it is working to promote our products developed from our own resources
to the international market.
To implement these activities, he established a number of organizations
supporting the educational programs:
1. Creative the Art Mall
2. Art Hut and Art Gallery
3. Creative Furniture
4. Creative Mannequins
5. Shanto-Mariam Printing and Packaging
6. Shanto-Mariam Centre for Creative Media
7. Shanto-Mariam Designers and Builders
8. Shanto-Mariam Fashions Ltd.
9. Shanto-Mariam Knit Composite and
10. Shanto-Mariam Research and Development Centre for Creativity &
Skills.
The Shanto-Mariam Centre for Creative Media is working to highlight and
spread the truth and beauty, modern education for a successful nation,
cultural development of the nation and creativity of the people to the general
public. A national daily, The Ajker Prottyasha, is being published regularly
through this Centre.
Shanto-Mariam Foundation always extends its arm to help the distressed. It
always stands by the calamity afflicted people as a friend with relief and
financial help in times of natural disasters such as flood, storm and tidal surge.
In 2007, this foundation stood by ten families in their rehabilitation efforts,
who were devastated in the cyclone ‘Sidr’, by building permanent houses for
them. The foundation is taking many initiatives to improve the status of the
families who remain below the poverty line.
Bangladesh is currently traversing on the highway of development as Digital
Bangladesh. We are proud that we are also a party to this development
success. Shanto-Mariam Foundation has come forward with ‘Sundarban Digital
Express Service’ as an active partner of the “Digital Centres” under the
Government’s Access to Information (A2I) program to provide courier service
to the people.
Since the inception of the Shanto-Mariam Foundation, many experts,
education enthusiasts and high ranking officials from home and abroad visited
the University and praised the exceptional academic activities of the
University. Many organizations from home and abroad offered financial
assistance to its activities, which the founder politely declined to accept. His
belief is that rather than the financial assistance we need technical assistance
and training and expansion of cultural exchange.
Ironically, a vested quarter of anti-liberation forces and beneficiaries of
independence has been involved in conspiracy to stifle to programs of the
great ideals and objectives of the foundation right after its birth. For the first
time in this region, we have introduced exceptional higher education in fashion
design, dance and classical music. Since then, high quarters from the
government, and even the standing committee of the parliament in the time of
four party coalition government, called us and opposed us by directing that
this education is not needed in the country. For this reason we faced attacks
numerous times, and a vested quarter made arson attack and destroyed
properties in our Creative Hub and artworks of huge value.
Despite being a victim of the ill-efforts and hindrances created by the anti-
liberation forces and the beneficiaries of the independence, the founder of this
university, is conducting all activities of these education organizations by
staying steadfast in his ideals and goals, as he remains inspired by patriotism,
truth and justice. This is a war, which he started at the age of seventeen and it
is still on. The academic activities have created much interest in the country
and nearly all students from these institutes have gained employment at home
and abroad after receiving quality education. They are working in their
respective fields with efficiency and good reputation. Thus, the education has
earned much popularity throughout the country and the nation sees its success
with appreciation and respect. And for that reason, the people of the country
has regarded this institution as the ‘Creative Destination of the Nation’.
We believe the country can go long way towards development by following
this model of education and promoting the exceptional education. It is being
proved now that madrassas often become a breeding ground for militancy
because of lack of job-oriented education in the system. At the same time,
students from affluent families often become involved in militancy despite
getting higher education becoming victims because of lack of cultural
education and religious dogmatism. As a result, events like Holey Artisan attack
had happened. It has now been proved that the job-oriented, creative and
cultural education that we have promoted for the last two decades plays an
important role in development of youth and the need for such education is
now acknowledged by all. The experts of the nation now realized the
importance of this education. We congratulate them.
At the same time, we want to state firmly that development of the nation can
come through utilizing the human and natural resources of the nation by
promoting job-oriented, creative and cultural education. In addition, the youth
of the country can be given higher education through online and distance
education keeping them in their work places in their respective localities. Thus,
it is an appeal to all quarters of the nation from the Shanto-Mariam
Foundation that let all of us work together to build the nation by extending
cooperation, advice and opinions so that we can spread this education
nationwide realizing the importance and need of this education.
Being committed to creating enlightened people, the Shanto-Mariam
Foundation wants to build a happy and prosperous country through job
oriented, creative and cultural education. It wants to ensure the proper
appreciation of the freedom fighters and to carry the benefits of the
independence to the common people by establishing the Father of the
Nation’s dream Golden Bengal, so that the nation can hold its head high in the
world and brighten the green and red flag.
Shanto-Niketon
Shanto-Niketon is an initiative of the service and human-welfare oriented
Shanto-Mariam Foundation as part of its programs to implement the four work
plans. The aim of this organization is to transform the poor underprivileged
people and the neglected children of the nation, who are living a dreadful life
beyond the society in jails and brothels, into good citizens of the country
through educating them with job oriented, creative and cultural education.
With this goal, Mr. Imamul Kabir Shanto first established Shanto-Niketon in a
purchased forty bigha land in Sinaboho, Gazipur. There, he started work to
establish a residential vocational and technical training centre for the helpless
orphans, underprivileged poor children and adolescents to enable them to be
self-reliant, and a rehabilitation centre for the neglected old people of the
society. The work is being developed now.
According to the implementation plan of this organization, there will be three
different types of residential facilities for the poor and underprivileged people
depending on their age, i.e. Dream Heaven, Glorious Heaven, and Sweet
Heaven. The main branch of Dream Heaven, is in Shanto-Nibash, which is a
concern of Shanto-Niketon. In this facility, children will be educated from 1st
grade to 8th grade under the Shanto-Mariam School of Creative Technology.
One branch of Dream Heaven will also be situated in Shanto-Niketon. After
completing the 8th grade, the children in Dream Heaven will be educated in the
Glorious Heaven, a facility of 9th grade to 12thgrades and equivalent diploma, to
train and make them skilled with job oriented, creative and cultural education
and placing them in employment at home and abroad. There will be separate
male and female old homes in the name of Sweet Heaven where medical
treatment, food and entertainment facilities will ensured, so that the old can
lessen their loneliness and helplessness with the company of children. Under
this project, there will be a hospital to provide medical treatment to general
people. Under this project, a mosque and madrasah will also be established.
This organization will be run with its own income and assistance of Shanto-
Mariam Foundation.
Shanto-Nibash
Shanto-Nibash is a centre to promote and expand job-oriented, creative and
cultural education for human resource development situated in Uttarkhan
near Uttara, Dhaka. It is a concern of Shanto-Niketon. From here, Creativity
and Skills Development Centres in the name of Shanto-Mariam Centres will be
established throughout the country to promote and expand job-oriented,
creative and cultural education, which will play a great role in nation building
and in development of skilled human resource.
In Shanto-Nibash, children and adolescent boys and girls who grew up in
neglect in brothels, children of the convicted criminals in jail and poor orphans
will be educated up to the 8th grade in “Dream Heaven” residential program
under the Shanto-Mariam School of Creative Technology. These young learners
will then be given technical job-oriented, creative and cultural education up to
the 12th grade and equivalent vocational diploma in Shanto-Niketon, Sinaboho,
Gazipur after they graduate the 8th grade. Apart from these programs,
branches of Shanto-Mariam Academy of Creative Technology and Shanto-
Mariam Institute of Creative Technology will also be operated in Shanto-
Nibash.
SHANTO-MARIAM ACADEMY OF CREATIVE
TECHNOLOGY
Shanto-Mariam Academy of Creative Technology has been established in order
to spread up-to-date design, cultural and technical education throughout the
country under the guidance of Shanto-Mariam Foundation. Diploma,
Certificate and short courses are open to all - from a child of 5 years and
above. The subjects are as follows:
⚫ Music (Rabindra, Nazrul, Classical, Folk)
⚫ Dance (BhorotNattyam, Kathak, Folk-dance, Monipuri)
⚫ Instrumental Music (Tabla, Guitar)
The Academy also introduced vocational SSC in Automotive, Dress Making &
Architectural Drafting with Auto CAD under Bangladesh Technical Education
Board (BTEB). The Academy has started SSC and HSC program under the
Bangladesh Open University for underprivileged students.
Under the program “Education for All” of Shanto-Mariam Foundation, Shanto-
Mariam Academy of Creative Technology is expanding all the above courses to
cater for the needs of the common people of the country. In addition, a skills
training program for human resource development in the rural areas will be
introduced soon all over the country.
SHANTO-MARIAM INSTITUTE OF CREATIVE
TECHNOLOGY
Shanto-Mariam Institute of Creative Technology is an educational institution of
Shanto-Mariam Foundation. It is the only Centre in Bangladesh to offer Edexcel
International, UK, awarded BTEC Extended Diploma (formerly National
Diploma) and Higher National Diploma (HND) where students can get an
International Diploma in Bangladesh at local cost.
This Institute was set up to specialize in art and design subjects with emphasis
on supplying skilled designers, knowledgeable in industrial technology and
management, as well as design subjects necessary for the indigenous
manufacturing industries in Bangladesh, as well as the rest of Asia.
The Extended Diploma is the equivalent of “A” levels at the Level 3 of UK
National Qualification Framework. It consists of 18 units and 2 years duration.
The Higher National Diploma is equivalent to the first 2 years of a UK
undergraduate program. This Level 5 qualification of the Qualification
Framework consists of 16 units and 2 years duration.
The diplomas have been developed in conjunction with industry and
professional bodies to ensure they have the added value of preparing students
for the world of work as well as higher education. The teaching method is to
encourage students to learn through experience in a way that is commonly
referred to as students–centered learning. These diplomas consist of 16/18
units and 2 years duration.
Study Areas available in Shanto-Mariam Institute of Creative Technology:
Extended Diploma HND Diploma
⚫ Fashion & Clothing ⚫ Fashion & Textiles
⚫ Interior Architecture (3D Design) ⚫ Interior Architecture (3D Design)
⚫ Graphic Design ⚫ Graphic Design
After completion of any of the above courses, a student has the opportunity to
seek admission around 150 universities in UK, USA and Australia which have
agreements with Edexcel to accept ND and HND qualifications including
Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology.
Shanto-Mariam University of Creative
Technology
Education enthusiast, Md. Imamul Kabir Shanto, established the first design
based comprehensive university of the region, Shanto-Mariam University of
Creative Technology, to expand job oriented, creative and cultural education in
the country. By combining the education streams of the two earlier established
educational organizations, Shanto-Mariam Academy of Creative Technology
and Shanto-Mariam Institute of Creative Technology, and integrating with
them the other required educational programs, this unique and different
university started its journey in 2003 under the Shanto-Mariam Foundation to
offer higher education in the country. Following the enactment of the ‘Private
University Act 2010’, the university is currently being run under the Shanto-
Mariam University of Creative Technology Trust. Since its inception, the
university has been offering its academic programs under three faculties.
These faculties are: a) Faculty of Design and Technology, b) Faculty of Fine Arts,
and c) Faculty of Management and General Studies.
The graduates of the Faculty of Design and Technology are, in particular,
working successfully in different organizations, including fashion houses, with
good reputation. They are making important contributions in the growth and
development of many local and foreign organizations in many sectors including
the ready-made-garments, information technology, real estate, media and
advertising industry. Many others have found success in their own business as
entrepreneurs of fashion house, interior design, advertising and other
companies, and creating employment for others. These activities if expanded
to every region of the country, then small garments and craft villages would be
created and this will play instrumental role in the socio-economic development
and solving unemployment problem of the country.
The graduates of the many departments of the Faculty of Management and
General Studies have found gainful employment after receiving quality
education from the university. At the same time, the graduates of the fine art,
music and the nation’s first dance department under the Faculty of Fine and
Performing Arts are playing important roles in the media and cultural field of
the nation. They have earned many accolades in the local and international
arena which made the university proud.
The university established modern labs and studios, such as pattern lab,
sewing lab, computer lab, CAD lab and design studio, dance and music studio,
necessary for the academic programs. In addition, it has all necessary facilities
such as campus wi-fi network, equipped classrooms, enriched library, hostel,
canteen and adequate transport. In order to enable the students of the
departments in the Faculty of Design and Technology gain hands-on practical
training in addition to their 2500 hours classroom education, and to the
education market oriented, there are complementary organizations of the
Shanto-Mariam Foundation, such as Creative Mannequins, Creative Furniture,
Art Hut and Gallery, Shanto-Mariam Printing and Packaging, the Daily Ajker-
Prottasha, Shanto-Mariam Fashions, Shanto-Mariam Knit Composite and
Creative Hub, which are supporting the academic education of the university.
These facilities are very important in imparting the creative education of the
university. Also, there are adequate full-time teachers in every department of
the university. The university charges very low tuition fees to enable the
common people of the country gain the job oriented, creative and quality
education. The low tuition fees are even payable in monthly instalments and,
in addition, there are scholarships for students. As a result, students are being
able to contribute remarkably in their respective fields by gaining this job
oriented, creative and quality education. This education has earned much
popularity nationwide and the nation sees its success with appreciation and
respect. And because of this reason, the people have regarded this university
and the Shanto-Mariam Foundation as the “Creative Destination of the
Nation”.
The departments under the Faculty of Design and Technology are:
• Fashion Design and Technology
• Apparel Manufacturing Management and Technology
• Interior Architecture
• Architecture
• Graphic Design and Multimedia
• Product Design
• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Computer Science and Engineering
The departments offer bachelor and master’s degrees through different
programs. In addition, the Apparel Manufacturing Management and
Technology department offers MBA in Product and Fashion Merchandising
course.
The departments under the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts are:
• Fine Art
• Music
• Dance
The departments offer bachelor and master’s degrees though different
programs.
The departments under the Faculty of Management and General Studies are:
• Business Administration
• English
• Law
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Islamic Studies
• Bangla
• Government and Politics
The departments offer bachelor and master’s degrees though different
programs.
The possible career fields and relevant information for enrolment in different
departments of the Faculty of the Design and Technology are highlighted
below:
BA (Hons) in Fashion Design and Technology: The requirement for admission
into this program is minimum GPA 2 in both SSC and HSC. 8 semesters, total
154 credits in 4 years.
MA in Fashion Design: 4 semesters, total 66 credits in 2 years. For those who
completed honor’s in a relevant subject, the program is of 2 semesters, 1-year
duration.
After receiving a degree in Fashion Design, one can avail the career
opportunities as Fashion Designer, Knitwear Designer, Textile Designer, Print &
Embroidery Specialist, Fashion Journalist, Fashion Photographer, Costume
Designer, Design Director, Art & Design Teacher, Fashion/Apparel
Merchandiser, Fashion Stylist, Visual Merchandiser, Factory Manager,
Compliance Manager, Total Quality Manager, Human Resource Manager etc..
At the same time, one can start his or her own business as an entrepreneur.
BA (Hons) in Apparel Manufacturing Management and Technology: The
requirement for admission into this program is minimum GPA 2.5 in both SSC
and HSC. 8 semesters, total 146 credits in 4 years.
MBA in Product and Fashion Merchandising: 4 semesters, total 66 credits in 2
years. For those who completed honor’s in a relevant subject, the program is
of 2 semesters, 1-year duration.
After receiving a degree in Apparel Manufacturing, one can avail the career
opportunities as Apparel Merchandiser, Compliance Manager, Quality
Manager, and in Senior Commercial, Production, Retail and International
Corporate Management fields. At the same time, one can start his or her own
business as an entrepreneur.
BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture: The requirement for admission into this
program is minimum GPA 2.5 in both SSC and HSC. 8 semesters, total 139
credits in 4 years.
MA in Interior Design: 4 semesters, total 66 credits in 2 years. For those who
completed honours in a relevant subject, the program is of 2 semesters, 1 year
duration.
After receiving a degree in Interior Architecture/Design, one can avail the
career opportunities as Interior Designer, Building Developer, Furniture
Designer, Retail Planner, Architectural Product Designer, Lighting Designer, Set
and Theatre Designer, Exhibition Designer, Conservation and Museum
Designer etc.. At the same time, one can start his or her own business as an
entrepreneur.
BA (Hons) in Graphic Design and Multimedia: The requirement for admission
into this program is minimum GPA 2 in both SSC and HSC. 8 semesters, total
142 credits in 4 years.
After receiving a degree in Graphic Design and Media, one can avail career
opportunities as Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Web Designer, Audio & Video
Editor, Multimedia Consultant, Creative Director, Art Director, Advertising
Executive, Exhibition Designer, 2D and 3D Animator, 3D Modeller, Photo
Journalist, Corporate Image Consultant and Stylist, Event Manager, Film and TV
Producer etc.. At the same time, one can start his or her own business as an
entrepreneur in Advertising and Outsourcing industry.
MA in Product Design: 4 semesters, total 66 credits in 2 years.
After receiving a degree in Product Design, one can avail career opportunities
as Ceramic Designer, Accessory Designer, Leather Apparel Designer, Luggage
Designer, Art and Design Teacher, Jewellery Designer, Shoe Designer,
Traditional/Handicrafts Designer, Furniture Designer/Home Accessory
Designer, Buyer/Merchandiser etc.. At the same time, one can start his or her
own business as a retailer and an entrepreneur.
Bachelor in Architecture: The requirement for admission into this program is
minimum GPA 2.5 in both SSC and HSC. 10 semesters, total 189 credits in 5
years.
After receiving a degree in Architecture, one can avail career opportunities as
Staff Architect, Architectural Consultant, Commercial Interior Designer,
Furniture Designer, Landscape Designer, Set and Theatre Designer etc.. At the
same time, one can start his or her own business as an Architect and
entrepreneur.
BSc (Hons) in Computer Science and Information Technology: The
requirement for admission into this program is minimum GPA 2.5 in both SSC
and HSC. 8 semesters, total 130 credits in 4 years.
BA (Hons) in Computer Science and Engineering: The requirement for
admission into this program is minimum GPA 2.5 in both SSC and HSC. 8
semesters, total 142 credits in 4 years.
After receiving a degree in Computing, one can avail career opportunities as
Software Engineer, Website Developer, Systems Developer, Network
Developer and also in fields in Computer Research and Development,
Technology Services, Energy, Finance, Engineering and Construction etc.. At
the same time, one can start his or her own business as an entrepreneur.
The possible career fields and relevant information for enrolment in different
departments of the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts are highlighted below:
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons) in Drawing and Painting: The requirement for
admission into this program is minimum GPA 2 in both SSC and HSC. 8
semesters, total 123 credits in 4 years.
Master of Fine Arts: 4 semesters, total 66 credits in 2 years. For those who
completed honours in a relevant subject, the program is of 2 semesters, 1 year
duration.
After receiving a degree in Fine Arts, one can avail career opportunities as Fine
Artist, Typographer, Book and Magazine Illustrator, Art Teacher, Art Director,
Advertising Executive, Exhibition Designer, Animator, Set Designer, Film and TV
Producer etc... At the same time, one can start his or her own business in
advertising, publishing and other fields as an entrepreneur.
Bachelor of Music (Hons) in Rabindra/Nazrul/Classical: The requirement for
admission into this program is minimum GPA 2 in both SSC and HSC. 8
semesters, total 120 credits in 4 years.
Master of Music in Rabindra/Nazrul/Classical: 4 semesters, total 60 credits in
2 years. For those who completed honor’s in a relevant subject, the program is
of 2 semesters, 1-year duration.
After receiving a degree in Music, one can avail career opportunities as
professional Stage Performer, Film and TV Artist, Choreographer, Music Score
Designer, Music Teacher, Film/TV Music Director, Musical Composer etc.
Bachelor of Music (Hons) in Dance: The requirement for admission into this
program is minimum GPA 2 in both SSC and HSC. 8 semesters, total 120 credits
in 4 years.
Master of Music in Dance: 4 semesters, total 62 credits in 2 years. For those
who completed honor’s in a relevant subject, the program is of 2 semesters, 1-
year duration.
After receiving a degree in Dance, one can avail career opportunities as Dance
Teacher, Professional Stage Performer, Film and TV Artist, Choreographer,
Costume Designer, Set Designer, Artistic Director, Dance Composer, Production
Manager etc..
Apart from the above programs, there opportunities for traditional honor’s
and master’s degree courses in Business Administration, English, Law,
Sociology and Anthropology, Islamic Studies, Bangla and Government and
Politics departments under the Faculty of Management and General Studies.
The academic programs of the university are run in three campuses which are
approved by the Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC). The
addresses of the campuses are:
Uttara Campus: House 1, Road 14, Sector 13, Uttara, Dhaka 1230. Phone:
7912713-14, 01988887700-04.
Permanent Campus Kalma, Savar: Plot 135, Zinzira Road, Kalma 1, Savar.
Phone: 01988887713.
City Campus: House 5/4, Block C, Lalmatia, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9125079,
9125226, 01988887712.
Joint-Venture Activities at the International Level by
Shanto-Mariam Foundation
Shanto-Mariam Foundation is committed to raising the standards of the job
oriented, creative and cultural education of the country to the international
standard. With this aim, the Foundation signed cooperation and exchange
agreements with Edexcel International, UK for vocational education and with
Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, Germany, for textile and design
education, and with Pearl Academy of Fashion, India, for design education. At
the same time, Shanto-Mariam Foundation regularly organizes seminars,
symposiums, art and photography exhibitions and cultural events for
education and cultural exchange with different countries where many famous
artists, scholars and experts participated. Shanto-Mariam Foundation
organized the ‘Vote for Sundarban’ campaign to elect Sundarban as one of the
world’s seven best natural wonders where dignitaries from the country and
abroad were present. These aside, Shanto-Mariam Foundation started China
Radio International and Shanto-Mariam Foundation Confucius Class Room
under an agreement for language, education and cultural exchange with the
China Radio International.
CRI-SMF CONFUCIUS CLASS ROOM
(A Chinese language institution of China Radio international and Shanto-
Mariam Foundation)
With a view to keeping pace with the world’s changing socio-economic
scenario, Shanto-Mariam Foundation delightfully agreed to a proposal by
China Radio International (CRI), one of the largest international broadcasting
stations of the world, to set up a Chinese language and culture center in the
name and style of CRI-SMF Confucius Classroom (CSCC) in Dhaka.
Its objectives are:
1. To create and strengthen the teaching faculty of Chinese language and
culture in Bangladesh
2. To revamp the polygonal relations between the two peoples of China
and Bangladesh
through fluent and constant interactions in both Chinese and Bangla – the two
tongues that
should infuse fresh blood in the ongoing status quo
3. To create a platform for bilateral cooperation to help boost trade,
economy, education,
social fabric, science and technology, etc.
4. To promote joint entrepreneurship for most effective utilization of the
abundant natural
resources of Bangladesh
It offers the following courses:
A. For Bangladeshis
⚫ Courses on Communication Chinese (3-Month per Level up to 6th Level)
⚫ 6-Month Certificate to 1-Year Diploma Courses on Business Chinese
⚫ 6-Month Children’s Language Course
⚫ 1-Month Survival Chinese for tourists/travelers
⚫ HSK (Chinese Language Proficiency Test) twice a year
⚫ Chinese Art & Craft Course
B. For the Chinese citizens living in Bangladesh
⚫ 3-6 Months Elementary Bangla for Communication
Other services offered:
⚫ Bangla-Chinese-Bangla translation services
⚫ Interpreter(s), if and when necessary
⚫ Consultancy/guide on Higher Education in China
⚫ Business guide for both Bangladeshi and Chinese
entrepreneurs/investors
⚫ Travel Guide for China tours
Following are some of the remarkable achievements CSCC made so far:
⚫ A good number of enthusiastic Bangladeshi and Chinese students
enrolled
⚫ Won scholarship for three students for higher studies in China (2010 &
2011)
⚫ Took part in the month-long National Book Fairs 2010 and 2011 at the
Bangla Academy
premises
⚫ Presented papers on a broad spectrum of subjects ranging from Sino-
Bangla literatures to
cultures hosted by Bangla Academy, Nazrul Institute, Shilpakala Academy, etc.
⚫ Hosted a Children’s Art Competition & Prize-giving Ceremony on
Shanghai World Expo 2010
on July 20, 2010
⚫ Accorded reception to two distinguished Chinese scholars on
Rabindranath Tagore in March
2011. The gala was attended by a number of Government Ministers
and Secretaries, elites,
scholars and erudite of the country
⚫ Conducted a short Chinese course for a batch of 20 Bangladesh Air Force
personnel and
another batch is in the pipeline. Bangladesh Army & Navy also have shown
interests.
⚫ Hosted a month-long TV program entitled ‘Learn Chinese in Bangla’ on
Desh TV’s “Durpath
(distance learning)” in May-June 2011
BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS UNDER SHANTO-MARIAM FOUNDATION
Sundarban Courier Service (Pvt.) Ltd
Sundarban Courier Service (Pvt.) Ltd., the first and fastest courier of the
country, has been playing a pioneering role in the field of courier service in the
private sector since 1983. Mr. Imamul Kabir Shanto, the founder chairman of
the company, has played the leading role in promoting and legalizing courier
service in Bangladesh. He is also the founder president of the Courier Service
Association of Bangladesh. The Postal Department of the Government of
Bangladesh has given him the honorary title as the “Legend of Courier” to
recognize his role in leading and establishing the courier service in Bangladesh.
It was not easy to promote this service of carrying information and products to
the people, however Sundarban Courier Service has earned popularity and
established the service overcoming many hindrances and hurdles. At present,
courier service has become an essential element in everyday needs of
businesses and consumers.
The goal of Sundarban Courier Service is to expand trade and commerce within
the country through establishing communications links and extending fastest
service in time, and to contribute to the socio-economic development of the
country through creating employment opportunities for unemployed youths.
Sundarban Courier Service is working to transform them as skilled work force
and thus remove the curse of unemployment.
Sundarban Courier Service provides services in the following areas:
1) General Service
2) Express service
3) Super Express Service
4) Non-Document Service
5) Value declared service
6) Parcel Service
7) To-Pay Service
8) Conditional Booking Service
9) International Service
11) Mobile Banking Service
12) E-Traffic Service (for Police)
Sundarban Courier Service is committed to providing secured service at the
fastest time to the customers living in all corners of the country. The company
has more than six thousand skilled employees who run the service operation
day and night. In addition, it has more than two hundred transport/cargo
covered vans which move documents/parcels to different routes of the
country daily. It also has more than seventy six branch offices at district and
division level and more than six hundred agency offices at thana/upazilla level.
A large part of the profits earned in Sundarban Courier Service is used to run
the activities of the Shanto Mariam Foundation to carry out different welfare-
oriented activities.
Sundarban Express Transportation System (SETS)
Ltd.
Sundarban Express Transportation System (SETS) Ltd. is another transport
service oriented company under the Shanto-Mariam Foundation. To support
our growing export-import related trade in all sectors including the garments
and many others, SETS has started its journey in 1998. At present, more than
two hundred cargoand covered vans are engaged in this service business. SETS
carry goods for shipments by air, sea and land transports creating thousands of
employment opportunities.
Sundarban Digital Express
In response to a call from the Government, the Sundarban Digital Express, a
new initiative of the Shanto-Mariam Foundation, has become an active partner
of the Government’s program to bring the benefits of ‘Digital Bangladesh’ to
the marginal people of the country through utilization of the infinite potentials
of the information technology. The Sundarban Digital Express has been
established to make contributions in the socio-economic development of the
country by offering a wider than the usual urban-centric service networks of
the popular Sundarban Courier Service (pvt.) Ltd. and Sundarban Express
Transportation Systems Ltd., especially by bringing the people of the remote
rural areas under courier and parcel delivery service network.
We believe technology is an important factor in the efforts to establish the
Father of the Nation Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s dream Golden
Bengal. This program to expand trade and commerce through establishment of
networks utilizing the progress of technology and to bring the benefits of
technology to the common people by providing necessary urgent services will
move the nation forward and contribute to its socio-economic development.
The transportation network that will be created to connect and carry products
to the Digital Centres that were established under the ‘Digital Bangladesh’
program will provide essential service to the people and accelerate socio-
economic development. Thus, we became an important partner to the ‘Digital
Bangladesh’ activities through the Government’s Access to Information (A2I)
program, and we believe this initiative of ours will also earn an affectionate
place in the minds of the people.
We request the best wishes and cooperation of people from all levels in our
new initiative.
Apart from the above companies, the Foundation established the following
business organizations:
Sundarban Marine Products
Reliance Industrial and Trading Corporation Ltd.
(Design, Development & Display Centre)
The latest innovation within the University has been to create a Design Centre
named the “Creative Destination”. As a design development and display
centre, it carries out its activities with the aim of making contributions in all
aspects of design, marketing and culture. Here, research and product
development, quality enhancement, the use of latest technologies as well as
continuing education such as workshops and seminars, will be conducted.
This Centre of Excellence will strive to perpetuate design into all commercial
and manufacturing industries through providing experienced designers on a
contract basis, to “pump-prime” design strategy and produce Innovative
product development.
This will also be a venue where ideas generation and exchange between
experienced designers can take place, where enhancement of design and
quality of product suitable for world markets can be displayed and a data bank
of resource information is collated making the “Creative Destination” a “one-
stop-shop” for all aspects of design.
The Design Centre Gallery will offer the opportunity for students and artists to
display and sell their work. This Display Area will be used to show the students’
collections and as a venue for Innovative product display and small Trade Fairs.
As the country’s unique culture is part of our national identity it should be
cherished and nourished as has been sadly neglected in the past. The Creative
Destination will play a pivotal role and by organizing cultural events, locally and
internationally, will try to reverse this trend, by nurturing forgotten talents
from throughout the country. By utilizing our abundant natural resources such
as jute, bamboo, cane and leather and developing well designed quality
products, this sector could supplement” garments” as a prime export. The
indigenous local handicrafts can also be developed to become world-class and
this can act like a catalytic agent for the rural poor to raise them above the
poverty line, while remaining in their local environment. The key to this
development is the creation of high quality products, design for world markets
and marketed in an international way. The establishment of “Craft Village” in
the rural areas, renowned for their specific products, is where workshops on
design and quality will be conducted to the local artisan, sample designed
products will be reviewed and production will take place.
The “Creative Destination” in Dhaka will act as the focus of all development
activities, creating new designs, entirely new products, innovative packaging
and ecologically acceptable goods suitable for International Buyers. The Design
Centre will also market the products to generate interest of local and
international buyers, supervise production, monitor quality and organize
distribution and shipping. This initiative will help the rural poor bring
prosperity and employment to rural areas, utilize our natural resources and
generally boost up the country’s economy. The Creative Destination will
establish liaison between market and productive education. As the Creative
Destination with the Design, quality, marketing and technological expertise is
viewed as a Centre of Excellence where training facilities, design and product
development, Computer Aided Module [CAM] and testing facilities are
available to business enterprises and thus the Foundation will be fulfilling its
prime objectives. The “Creative Destination” will pave the way towards
increased national prosperity, to create rural employment and help the nation
at large.
Apart from the Creative Destination, the other business organizations under
the Shanto-Mariam Foundation supporting creative education are:
• Creative the Art Mall
• Art Hut and Art Gallery
• Creative Furniture
• Creative Mannequins
• Shanto-Mariam Printing and Packaging
• Shanto-Mariam Centre for Creative Media
• Daily AjkerProttasha
• Shanto-Mariam Designers and Builders
• Shanto-Mariam Fashions Ltd.
• Shanto-Mariam Knit Composite
Shahid Muktijoddha Smriti Foundation
Mr. Imamul Kabir Shanto, the inspired patriot and valiant freedom fighter,
believes that the greatest achievement of our nation is the independence of
the country and the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives to achieve this
victory are the greatest children of the nation. In response to the Father of the
Nation’s call for the liberation war, Mr. Shanto, took active part in the war at a
young age of 17 years.
After the ending of the nine month struggle and the surrender of enemy forces
on 16th December, when hundreds of freedom fighters were returning to
Dhaka crossing the river Buriganga in the first hour of the victory on the 17th
December, very sadly, eleven of his fellow fighters, which included some of his
close friends, died in the water in a dire boat-capsize. This event strongly
affected his mind which he could not forget till today. He still remembers his
close friends and fellow freedom fighters, including his close friend Amin. This
sorrowful incident haunts him and makes him tearful. And this has become an
impetus to turn his life and caused a great inspiration in his mind. He dedicated
his life and work in the human welfare oriented activities of the Shanto-
Mariam Foundation, abandoning the charm and luxurious life abroad. Without
having any children, he even disregarded the affection in family life and
dedicated his life and wealth to realize the dreams of the martyrs, and
established the Shahid Muktijoddha Smriti Foundation.
Young Shanto was greatly aggrieved seeing no proper appreciation of these
martyrs in the post-independence period. Their sacrifices have not yet been
appreciated, and the great goals for which they sacrificed their lives have not
been achieved. Therefore, he established the Shahid Muktijoddha Smriti
Foundation to bring peace to the forgone souls, ensure their proper
appreciation and implement the aims and objectives of the liberation war. At
the same time, he built a mausoleum, ‘Shahid Muktijoddha Smritisthombho’,
at their graves in the new Azimpur Graveyard, to keep their memories alive.
And every year, he observes the 17th December as the ‘Shahid Muktijoddha
Day’.
This foundation provides regular assistance to the insolvent families of the
martyrs, injured freedom fighters and to their children for their welfare.
Shahid Muktijoddha Foundation does not accept any financial assistance or
donation from anyone and all of its activities are run with the finance and
assistance of Shanto-Mariam Foundation.
This fellow freedom-fighter of the martyrs, Md. Imamul Kabir Shanto, believes
that this country one day will stand high and glorious would be the red and
green flag.