After the 1970 cyclone and the 1971 Liberation War,
CORR (Christian Organization for Relief and Rehabilitation) initiated relief
efforts in Bangladesh, importing machinery and vehicles for agricultural and
development projects. As these required maintenance, a lack of skilled
technicians became evident. In response, a workshop was established in Mirpur
in 1973, leading to the founding of MAWTS (Mirpur Agricultural Workshop and
Training School), a trust under Caritas Bangladesh. Although it began in 1973,
MAWTS was transformed into a trust in July 2008 and is now operated under the
direct supervision of the Board of Trustees.
The foundational course
of MAWTS is the Long-Term Mechanical Course (LTMC), which has been in operation
since 1976. However, the development of its curriculum and other preparatory
work began as early as 1973. By the end of 1975, Caritas Bangladesh and Caritas
Switzerland had completed preparations to launch the training program at MAWTS.
In the early 1980s, MAWTS began developing
agricultural machinery, including the highly successful rower pump, which was
widely adopted by farmers. By 1985, over 50,000 rower pumps had been installed
across Bangladesh. MAWTS then shifted to producing treadle pumps and later
introduced Taradev pumps to provide safe drinking water, marking the
"golden age" of its production department. During this time, MAWTS
also began manufacturing other products like rice mills, potato graders, and
fiberglass items to sustain its production efforts.
Between 1990 and 1996,
MAWTS expanded its short-term modular courses. At the same time, the Trade Test
Certificate program was introduced at MAWTS and gained recognition in various
countries.
To maintain a clean and
healthy environment, MAWTS has been producing vacuum tanks since 2000, which
are used in Bangladesh. MAWTS manufactures vacuum tanks with capacities of 1000
liters, 2000 liters, 3000 liters, and 4000 liters. This advanced equipment
allows for efficient waste disposal in areas that are difficult to access.
In 2004, under the Bangladesh Technical Education
Board, educational programs in four technologies—Automobile, Electrical,
Electronics, and Mechanical—were introduced in the Diploma-in-Engineering
curriculum. This initiative has expanded over time, and now includes Civil and
Computer Science and Technology as well.
Since 2015, MAWTS has been conducting skill
development programs in 10 trades under various Industry Skills Councils (ISC)
such as BACI, BEIOA, and PKSF, as part of the government's Skills for
Employment Investment Program (SEIP) project.
In 2020, in response to
the COVID-19 pandemic, MAWTS developed a foot-operated hand washing machine
that can be used without hand contact, making it hygienic.
In 2023, MAWTS is
offering courses in Care giving and language training (Korean and Japanese) as
part of its modern and relevant training programs. By prioritizing the needs of
the time, MAWTS provides technical training in various fields, contributing to
the reduction of unemployment in the country.
