The suggestion came at the launching ceremony of a book titled 'Our Alma Mater' at Dhaka University (DU).

The ceremony was organised by Dhaka Physics Group to celebrate the International Year of Physics 2005, one hundredth anniversary of Einstein's Theory of Relativity and the Centenary of Curzon Hall at its auditorium.

The speakers laid emphasis on science-based education for improving the standard of life and socio-economic status of people.

They said beside conducting goal-oriented researches on applied science, there is also a need for basic science researches.

Until recent time, the developed countries had been reluctant on building nuclear power plants in the developing countries, but now they are shifting from that position and Bangladesh should take this opportunity, said Dr Anwar Hossain, former chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.

"If the government has a political will, it can seek help from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Money is not a problem. The government can float international tenders for Independent Power Plant for nuclear power generation," he suggested.

There is also about 250 acres of land at Ruppur in Pabna fixed for nuclear power plant, but it has not been utilised due to lack of government initiative, he told The Daily Star after the ceremony.

The nuclear energy expert said coal and gas are limited in the country, while these have huge negative environmental impacts. On the other hand, after the initial investment the generation cost of nuclear energy is very low and it has no environmental impact, he said while speaking as guest of honour.

Speaking as chief guest Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman said development of science requires much more patronisation which is not present in the country.

There were many discussions on the reforms of madrasa education, but nothing significant has been done in this regard, he added.

Presiding over the ceremony, Dhaka Physics Group President M Syeduzzaman proposed for making an appeal to the Unesco for declaring Curzon Hall a world heritage.

Recalling the memories associated with Curzon Hall, DU Pro-Vice-chancellor Prof AFM Yusuf Haider said this is the place where the students protested the decision of the then Pakistan government for imposition of Urdu as state language.

DU Vice-chancellor Prof SMA Faiz, Chairman of physics department RIM Aminur Rashid, Dean of science faculty Prof Tajmeri SA Islam, former chairman of SPARSSO Dr Faruk Aziz and Prof AM Harun-ar-Rashid of University Grants Commission also spoke on the occasion.