Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology in Uttara, Dhaka

Suhel Ahmad
Background of the Establishment of the University: Education is the backbone and culture is the inner spirit of any nation. Nations that are rich in these two elements also embrace technology in today’s developed and prosperous world. Bangladesh, a developing and over-populated country is blessed with a wealth of diverse talents among its abundant population. By harnessing modern techno-based education, maintaining creativity at its heart and aligned with our traditional culture we can reach “developed world” status very rapidly. Md. Imamul Kabir Shanto, a valiant Freedom Fighter in our War of Liberation, became frustrated by post-independence policies and left Bangladesh for Europe. During his stay in Europe he was highly impressed by the pronounced value of the design, vocational, technological and cultural education of the European Country which immensely contributed to the economic growth and social development of their society. On returning to his motherland, he found that although geographic freedom had been achieved, the economy remained shattered and there was no cultural nor educational emancipation. He vowed to utilize his own ingenuity, strength and wealth to help the poor, underprivileged countrymen and with the lessons learnt from European countries established the Shanto-Maiam Foundation. The Foundation thus envisaged following four basic objectives needed for development of our socio-economic condition, simultaneously solving other problems.

Muhammad Atiqur Rahman
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 programmes, 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 programmes 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 programmes. 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 Ltd., 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.

Mohammad Mustakim Sarker
The First Creative University. Students can earn the quality knowledge about technology & Creativity at very low cost. This is the place for learning, the university trustee do not have the business mentality, they give the subsidiary for education. This is a great initiative.