Rear Admiral of the Bangladesh Navy
Mohammad Musa is a two star military admiral of Bangladesh Navy and the incumbent Assistant Chief Of Naval Staff (Personnel). He is the former Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University. Prior to that, he served as the Chairman of Mongla Port Authority.[1] Previously, he was Commander of Khulna Naval Area.[2]
Education
Musa joined Bangladesh Naval Academy on 27 January 1985 with 15th BMA Long Course. After one year of training in Bangladesh Military and Naval Academy, he is the first officer who has undergone Officer's Basic Training at Royal Malaysian Navy. On 1 July 1987, he was commissioned in the Executive branch.[3] In his Academic Credential, he has four master's degrees in War Studies, English Literature, International Security & Strategic Studies and Business Administration respectively. He completed MA in "International Security and Strategy" from King's College London. He has completed his M Phil from Bangladesh University of Professionals in 2015. In early 2021, the admiral has completed PhD in "Maritime Awareness: Bangladesh Perspective" from Jahangirnagar University.[4]
Musa is an alumnus of Sylhet Cadet College.
Musa represented Bangladesh in the State Party meeting in the United Nations in 2013. He attended Senior Executive Decision-Making Programme at Institute for Security Governance in California in 2019. Recently, he attended 12th Regional Sea Power Symposium in Italy and delivered lecture on 'Shaping of Navies in the Blue century. His interviews were published in six international defence & security journals. Many of his numerous articles were published in various defence and security journals at home and abroad.[5]
Personal life
Musa is married to Nishat Rahman and is father of two sons.[6]
Military career
Musa is a Naval Gunnery Specialist Officer and served as instructor in Bangladesh Naval Academy, Chief Instructor of Naval Gunnery and Seamanship School. He has commanded six warships including Patrol Craft, Offshore patrol vessel, Frigates and lastly the flagship, BNS Bangabandhu. His staff appointments range from Staff Officer Plans and Appointment to Naval Secretary.
Musa has served as the Director of four Directorates namely Directorate of Plans, Submarine, Naval Aviation and Signals. He also served as Naval Secretary. He has commanded the biggest naval establishment of Bangladesh Navy, BNS Issa Khan in Chattogram. As Area Commander, he performed the duties of Naval Administrative Authority Dhaka and Commander Khulna Naval Area. On his tenure as Commander Khulna Naval Area, Musa was reported to have rendered humanitarian assistance and support to local administration during COVID-19 pandemic. Musa executed and conducted relief operations during floods and cyclones as well as supporting aid and assistance to local governments as part of Bangladesh Navy's campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outside Navy, Musa has served as Director at Blue Economy Cell of Energy and Mineral Resources Division. He also served as Directing Staff (Navy) Armed Forces War Course at National Defence College.[6] He is also an alumnus of Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur, French Inter Forces War College, Armed Forces War Course, National Defence College, Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS), UK and King's College London. He was appointed as vice chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University by Government of Bangladesh in January 2023.[7]
Tenure as chairman, Mongla Port Authority
Time in office
Musa served as Chairman of Mongla Port Authority from January 26, 2021, to January January 25, 2023.[1] During his tenure, the Mongla Port Authority achieved a significant milestone in terms of foreign ship anchoring. In a single fiscal year, the port recorded the highest-ever number of foreign ships anchored, reaching a total of 970.[2]
Musa implemented medical facilities for port employees and actively collaborated with local governments and civil administration in Mongla Port. He distributed goods to port laborers and engaged in talks with worker unions and trade associations. Under his leadership, the Mongla Port remained operational without interruption throughout his two-year tenure, demonstrating his commitment to seamless port activities and trade operations.[3][4][5]
Rear Admiral Musa's leadership and management were widely recognized during this period. He was regarded as one of the notable chairpersons of the Mongla Port Authority and gained national attention for his efforts in revitalizing a port that was previously considered inactive. Under his guidance, the port experienced a remarkable transformation, breaking records even during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.[6][7]
Feature articles
On February 15, 2022, Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa featured as the cover focus of the magazine ICE Business Times. The cover story titled "Untapping Mongla's Full Potential" highlighted his contributions and discussed the regional connectivity aspects of the port.[8]
Additionally on June 3, 2023, Musa was featured in The Prestige Magazine in an exclusive article titled "Navigating Success, Accelerating Progress." In this feature, he provided insights into his background and leadership style.[9]
References