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.