News Room

Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Agricultural University

Mukhlesur Rahman Mukit

On 18th August, 2010 Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) observed 50th anniversary. The university was established in 1961 under the “East-Pakistan Agricultural University Ordinance” notification. After the creation of Bangladesh it was named Bangladesh Agricultural University. Initially there were only two faculties and a handful of students. At present there are six faculties with 45 departments enrolling about 4763 students. Besides many indigenous students, there are some students from various overseas countries. In Bangladesh context, contribution of agriculture is more because more than 80% of people are directly or indirectly related with agriculture. About 20.48 % GDP has come from agriculture sector last year. This is due to hard work of agriculture graduates, scientists and teachers of Bangladesh Agricultural University.

Basically, Agriculture is an applied science. So, research works simultaneously run along with academic programmes. At present, out of a total of 173 research projects, 969 have already been finished. From these programmes some mentionable ones are-

1. Developed high yielding rice variety- BAU-16, BAU- 63, Vorasa

2. Mustard variety- Sompod, Sombol.

3. Soybean- Brag, Devis, Shohag.

4. Jujubi- BAU-kul, Apel-kul.

5. Eggplant- BAUbegun-1, BAU begun-2.

6. Alamanda tablet, Garlic tablet for seed and soil treatment.

7. Artificial animal breeding.

8. Integrated Pest Management technology.

9. Microbial anti-pathogenic materials- Bio-pesticide, Bio-fungicide.

For poverty alleviation in Bangladesh, there is no way other than modernisation of agriculture. For modernisation and betterment of agriculture, the government should give proper attention to Bangladesh Agricultural University. Thus, the celebration of 50th anniversary of the university will be successful, glorious and hopeful.

Permanent campus of Southeast University

Masud Alam

Southeast University started its academic activities from their newly acquired permanent campus. Prof. Dr. M Shamsher Ali, the Vice Chancellor of the university inaugurated the first batch of classes from this newly purchased and developed permanent campus in Tejgaon I/A. Pro-VC of the University, Prof. Dr. ANM Meshquat Uddin, Registrar, Engr. Kh. Shahan Alam, Adviser, Prof. Dr. Manzurul Islam, Dean of Business Studies Prof. Dr. Syed Masud Hossain, Dean of Arts and Social Sciences Mr. Abdul Baten Mian, Adviser of Pharmacy Dept Prof. Dr. Selim Reza, Chairman of Bengali Dept Prof. Dr. Razib Humayun, Chairman of Textile Dept Prof. Syed Fakhrul Hasan, Chairman DBA Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed, Chairman English Mirza TH Begh, Chairman Islamic Studies Dr. Muhammad Faruque, Secretary of South Asia Foundation and Southeast University Mr. Abdur Rahaman and a host of students, teachers, officers and staff members were also present in the programme. A special prayer was held for the success of the University and sweets were distributed among the guests. Students and teachers also visited different sections of the new campus in a joyful mood. It is to be noted that the registration of the 4-bigha land with two 5-stotried and 2-storied buildings and other structures for the permanent campus at Tejgaon, 251/A-252, Dhaka was completed on 14 March, 2010. Construction work of the new buildings is expected to begin soon.

Inter department debate championship ends at Rajshahi University

Kazi Shafiqul Islam, Mamun Kaioum, Shibasish Pal Eco

After six years, a four -day long inter department debate championship and debaters hunt -2010 ended on August 1 at Rajshahi University (RU), with the slogan of “Eso Donder Sondhe Bajai Muktir Madol”, Rajshahi University unit Group of Liberal Debaters Bangladesh (GOLD Bangladesh), a debate organisation of the university has organised the championship at the Dean Complex.

Treasurer of RU, Prof M Abdur Rahman inaugurated the championship as the chief guest while Social Science faculty dean Prof Mizanuddin and Arts Faculty dean Prof M Shahidullah spoke at the programme as special guests.

A total of 24 debate teams from several departments of Rajshahi University participated in the programme. The four-day debate championship included debate competition, Public Speaking competition, Humor debate and Plan Chet model. The debators also took oath against eve teasing.

The topic of the debate was “Juddoporadhider Bicharer Pokkhe Jonomot Gothone Gonomaddhom Bartho”. Rajshahi University Accounting and Information Systems department got the champion trophy while Folklore department got the runner-up trophy. RU Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Nurullah distributed the awards.

Dean of Business Studies Faculty and chairman of Rajshahi Krisi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) Prof M Shah Nowaz Ali, university student adviser Prof Golam Sabbir Satter also spoke at the programme as special guests.

Star Campus, a weekly supplement of The Daily Star, daily Samakal and Banglanews24.com.bd were the media partners of this programme.

Certificate Training held at UIU

Aneesa Rahman

Training on Retail Banking and Sales Management was held on 14 August, at the UIU auditorium, Dhanmondi. This is the second training out of six predetermined trainings organised jointly by Junior Jaycees and UIU. The key resource persons for the training were Mr. Gazi Yar Mohammad, Head of Business, Mutual Trust Bank Ltd. and A.K. Mohammad Jawadul Haque, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager- Gulshan and President of Dhaka North, JCI.

They shared their experiences in the banking sector with all the participants. Mr. Gazi Yar Mohammad arranged special quizzes in his presentation where participants recieved gifts for correct answers. The event was as successful as the one preceding it and all thanks goes to A.K. Mohammad Jawadul Haque, President of Dhaka North, JCI, Mr. Suborna Barua, Senior Lecturer, School of Business, UIU and coordinator Junior Jaycees, our dedicated Junior Jaycee team at UIU, and last but not least the participants who make the events successful by their enthusiastic participaton.

Any student or professional can participate in our training programmes.

NSUSSC Youth Awareness Campaign Competition 2010

Star Campus Desk

The North South University Social Services Club (NSUSSC) has recently organised a successful event celebrating the spirit of creating awareness amongst the youth. The event was titled “Youth Awareness Campaign Competition 2010”, and was adorned by the gracious presence of the Minister for Social Welfare, Enamul Haq Mustafa Shaheed, who was the Chief Guest at the Grand Finale. He was accompanied by Azim Uddin Ahmed, Chairman, Board of Governors, NSU Foundation, Dr. Hafiz G.A. Siddiqi, Vice Chancellor, NSU and Dr. S.A.M. Khairul Bashar, Pro-Vice Chancellor, NSU.

This is the first time that NSUSSC has organised an event where students had to take initiatives and present their ideas to aware the youth about different social issues. A total of 24 teams, each comprising of 2 to 4 NSU students, registered for the competition.

The topics for the preliminary round were 'anti-smoking', 'anti-drugs', 'stop domestic violence' and 'conserve electricity'. The teams were divided into 4 groups, each with its own topic. The teams that made it to the finals were Greenade, Silver Light, Mind Trip and Mystix.

The common topic for all the 4 finalists was 'Conserve Water'. The judges for the Grand Finale were Ali Zaker, a leading personality in the domestic advertising industry and the owner of Asiatic MCL, Dr. Abdur-Nur-Tushar, media personality and the president of the Bangladesh Debate Federation (BDF), Jeffrey Phillips, Country Director, BBC and Bashir Hussain, Senior Lecturer, School of Business, North South University.

Excitement was at its peak when it was time to announce the name of the winning team. Silver Light was the team that won this year's Youth Awareness Campaign Competition. The team got a handsome amount of prize money along with trophies and gift hampers. The other three finalists also won prize money for their effort.

All in all, this entire event was just a beginning of a stream of fresh and effective ideas from the youth. Throughout the four-month semester, it was the most discussed topic on campus. The students' and participants' undying enthusiasm, curiosity and competitive spirit made the arrangements lively.

BSD observes Mourning Day

Tabassum Mokhduma

On the occasion of the National Mourning Day, the 34th death anniversary of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh School of Debate (BSD) organised an open discussion and a debate programme at their central office in Chittagong. Dr. Abdullah Al Faruque, Moderator of BSD-CU (University of Chittagong) Chapter and Ex-Chair, Department of Law, CU was present as the chief discussant at the event. The programme included open discussion on the life, political career, struggles and sacrifices of Bangabandhu and his brilliant leadership during the War of Liberation. The event was participated by present and former members of BSD-CU Chapter and a good number of students.

PUST observes National Mourning Day

Ahmed Humayun Kabir Topu

Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST) observed the notional mourning the day. The day long programme started with paying homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibar Rahman. A mourning rally was brought out from the administrative building of the university that paraded the main streets of the district headquarter.

Vice Chancellor of PUST Dr. Mozaffar Hossain chaired the discussion while the noted author of the country Professor Hassan Azizul Haque spoke as the chief guest.

The former head of economics department of Rajshahi University Professor Md. Shanath Kumar Shaha spoke as the special guest.

Among others former principal of Pabna Govt. Bulbul College Professor Md. Nurunnabi, Professor Md. Shibojit Nag also spoke on the occasion.

(The Daily Star Pabna Correspondent)

Autumn semester begins at IUB

Star Campus Desk

Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) organized an orientation programme on Saturday, 14 August 2010 at its permanent campus at Bashundhara for the newly admitted students of the Autumn 2010 semester.

In his acquaintance speech Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Omar Rahman spoke on the distinctive nature of IUB education which places importance of professional education on the foundation of cross-disciplinary liberal arts curricula. Prof Bazlul Mobin Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor of IUB heartily welcomed the new students and thanked them for choosing IUB for changing and shaping their future and called upon them to utilize the time to come out as the best professionals in their fields as well as a better human being. He assured the students that IUB would do everything for ensuring their dreams come true.

The programme also included excellent multi-media presentation on the University and its study programmes, future prospects and the facilities available for the students at the schools, computer labs and laboratories and described the on-going academic activities of the University by the School of Business (SB), School of Engineering & Computer Science (SECS), School of Environmental Science & Management (SESM) and School of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences (SLASS). Ms Lima Choudhury, Sr Asst Director, Undergraduate Admissions, conducted the ceremony.

The newly admitted students, their parents, guardians, members of the faculty and management were present on the occasion.

AIUB management meets UGC Chairman

Lutfor Rahman

Dr. Carmen Zita Lamagna, Vice Chancellor, AIUB and Mr. Hasanul A Hasan, Vice President (Treasury, Admin & HR), AIUB, paid a courtesy visit to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and met Professor Nazrul Islam, Chairman of UGC, at his office on 17 August. In a very cordial atmosphere, they talked on matters related to academic development and exchanged views on fundamental policy matters concerned with AIUB. Members of UGC Professor Dr. Ehsanul Haque and Prof. Dr. Tazul Islam were also present during the meeting.

Dr. Lamagna and Mr. Hasan elaborately briefed the UGC Chairman on AIUB's latest academic and policy-oriented issues and explained how AIUB has been giving its best in maintaining strict academic and disciplinary standards. As regards the Private University Act, the AIUB management has been completing all necessary formalities (like constituting the Syndicate) which proves its adherence towards academic excellence. The UGC Chairman was happy to know that the entire AIUB management has been very cautious in keeping its campus free from all unruly and subversive activities. He was also updated about AIUB's own campus where shifting will be done systematically in the shortest possible time.

Discussions on important policy-oriented issues also took place and the UGC Chairman expressed his full support in every positive initiative that is being taken by AIUB management in favor of its academic excellence and the student community.