Vocational Education and Skills Development
The late Md. Imamul Kabir Shanto, Founding Chairman of the Shanto-Mariam Foundation,
recognized the importance of equipping the vast human resource in the country with job-oriented
vocational skills to accelerate its development. Instead of focusing on degrees with little market
relevance or transferable skills, he aimed to create opportunities for vocational education, especially
for the disadvantaged groups in Bangladesh. In pursuit of this goal, SMF established the Bangladesh
Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, which later became the Shanto-Mariam Institute of Creative
Technology. The institute offers international vocational diplomas awarded by Pearson Education, a
UK-based organization, with a focus on art and design fields. Students who earn these vocational
diplomas are trained to become professionals with market-relevant skills, enabling them to progress
into job roles. Moreover, the academic qualifications obtained at the institute also allow students to
gain admission to universities for higher degrees.
The institute specializes in art and design subjects with an emphasis on supplying skilled designers
proficient in industrial technology and management, catering to the needs of indigenous
manufacturing industries in Bangladesh.
Currently, the institute offers the Extended Diploma, which is equivalent to "A" levels at Level 3 of
the UK National Qualification Framework, and the Higher National Diploma, equivalent to the first
two years of a UK undergraduate programme. These diplomas have been developed in collaboration
with industry and professional bodies to ensure they prepare students for both the workforce and
higher education. The teaching method focuses on student-centred learning, encouraging students
to learn through experience.
In addition to the existing vocational programmes, there are strategic plans to introduce basic skill
development programmes, particularly targeting the disadvantaged population. These programmes
aim to equip individuals with specialized skills, enabling them to become small entrepreneurs or
professionals.
The Shanto-Mariam Academy of Creative Technology, another initiative of the Foundation, has
introduced vocational SSC programmes in Automotive, Dress Making, and Architectural Drafting
with Auto CAD under the Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB). The academy has also
started SSC and HSC programmes under the Bangladesh Open University for underprivileged
students.
Under the "Education for All" programme, both the Shanto-Mariam Foundation and the Shanto-
Mariam Academy of Creative Technology are committed to expanding the courses to cater to the
needs of the common people of the country.