Chairman, BIWTA
Commodore Arif Ahmed Mustafa, (G) NUP, ndc, afwc, Psc, BN (P No. 840)
Commodore Arif Ahmed Mustafa, (G), NUP, ndc, afwc, psc was born on 01 July, 1970 Narayanganj District in an elite Muslim family. He passed Secondary and Higher Secondary Examination from Mirzapur Cadet College with excellent result. He joined Bangladesh Navy in 1990 and was commissioned in 1992. He achieved Bachelor’s degree with distinction in science from Chittagong University and earned Master’s Degree in Military Studies from Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP). He is an alumnus of DSC&SC Mirpur, National Defence College, Mirpur and National Defence College, Nigeria. Commodore Arif has extensive experience in different command, instructor and staff officer appointments in an illustrious career spanning 30 years.
He is an experienced officer who served as the captain of two Bangladesh Navy frigates namely BNS UMAR FAROOQ and BNS SAMUDRA JOY. He was the Commissioning Captain of BNS DURJOY and de-commissioning Captain of BNS UMAR FAROOQ. Commodore Arif served as the commanding officer of Patrol Craft BNS FARID, BNS TISTA, BNS MEGHNA, BNS DURJOY (LPC), BNS SR AMIN (OPV) and Naval Base BNS HAZI MOHSIN.
Commodore Arif served as an instructor at Bangladesh Naval Academy and Gunnery School at BNS ISSA KHAN. As a staff officer, he served in the Directorate of Naval Training and Naval Secretariat in Naval Headquarters. He served as Drafting Authority in his present rank. Besides, he served as an Assistant Director in Special Security Force (SSF). Commodore Arif completed UN peacekeeping missions in Sudan and Lebanon. He also served as the Director General of the Directorate of Civil-Military Relations of the Department of Armed Forces where he served ex-officio as the Member Secretary of the Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention. His last appointment was Deputy Commandant of DSCSC, Mirpur Cantonment.
Commodore Arif received the Naval Excellence Medal in recognition of various operational feats during peacetime. He was commended by the Chief of Naval Staff for formulating various contemporary and effective policies related to career planning of sailors. Besides, Commodore Arif was awarded Letter of Appreciation by the Naval Administrative Authority for special contribution in Exercise ‘Bajra Aghat 2019’. He was awarded a commendation by the Force Commander for his gallant performance as a boat officer in peacekeeping mission in Sudan.
Commodore Arif has a habit of reading books and listen to music in his spare time. He is happily married to Mrs. Sonia Haasan who is a teacher and counselor of children having special needs. Among the three sons of Commodore Arif, the eldest son is currently studying in 3rd year BBA at BUP, the second son has followed his father’s footsteps and joined Bangladesh Navy and the youngest son is studying in class IX.
Chairman’s Message
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has been set up for the development, maintenance and control of inland water transport and of certain inland navigable waterways. Among other functions, BIWTA has the responsibility to arrange training programme for Inland Water Transport Personnel. In pursuance BIWTA established its first inland maritime training centre named as “Deck Personnel Training Centre” (DPTC) at 1970. To meet the growing demand of skilled Inland as well as International ship personnel in maritime sector, BIWTA decided to build its third maritime training institute in Madaripur named as Ship Personnel Training Institiute (SPTI). In the year 2019, Authority shifted the institute to its new building, built on its own acquired 5 (Five) acres of land on the West bank of lower kumar river in kumartek, Madaripur. SPTI starts his/her journey with full facility of navigatioin lab, Bridge simulation, seamanship lab, Engine lab, Advanced Fire fighting Lab, Life boat launcher; etc along with latest maritime technology. From the beginning Deck and Engine personnel were being trained in the Training institiute. BIWTA believes that a safe, cost effective and environment friendly Inland Water Transport sector mostly depends on skilled and competent ship personnel. Therefore to promote skilled and trained river transport personnel and to achieve the preset goal appropriate training modules and curriculum have been developed; a training ship and well equipped laboratories have been setup in SPTI Campus. SPTI is a non-profit making organization primarily engaged in promoting maritime education and training in the inland water transport sector in Bangladesh. Since its establishment, the training institiute has been conducting various maritime training programme in compliance with ISO-76 & STCW-78 as amended, with the approval of Department of Shipping. The training centre is headed by a Principal, a professional Master Mariner having long time sea carrier as well as teaching experience in maritime education. Its different activities are being appraised, initiated, executed and monitored by Vice Principal under the supervision of the Principal. The Principal decides on key matters such as launching of course, managing and liaise with the Department of Shipping and other national and international bodies, liaise with trainees representative through student counseling to deal with student matters etc. He also keeps close correspondence with member of Finance and other officials of BIWTA. At Present SPTI is running by a group of highly skilled, competent & experienced Master Mariners, Inland Masters & Marine Engineers, Part-Time & Full Time Instructors and Trained Employees with Naval background under the supervision of BIWTA, Ministry of Shipping.
I wish all the prosperity of this institution so that it can achieve the vision of BIWTA and can keep highest role to make skilled and trained water transport personnel for inland water transport sector at home and abroad.
Commodore Golam Sadek, NGP, ndc, ncc, psc
Chairman
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA)