Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed has called for the country’s universities to be built as clean, healthy and environmentally friendly ‘clean campuses’ and ‘green campuses’. At the same time, he assured the universities of the UGC’s maximum cooperation to ensure a suitable environment for education and research.
He said these things today (September 1) while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organized on the occasion of the 23rd University Day of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), a press release said.
Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed said that the development of the university does not only mean infrastructural development. Ensuring a clean, healthy, safe and research-friendly environment for students, teachers and researchers is also an important part of the overall development of the university. Therefore, universities should take initiatives to build them as ‘clean campuses’ and ‘green campuses’ at the same time. Referring to the peaceful and green environment of RUET, UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed said that after the ongoing development project is completed, initiatives should be taken to make the campus cleaner and more environmentally friendly.
Stating that there is no shortage of funds for research in the country, the UGC Chairman said that there is a budget allocation for research in the budgets of various ministries including Science and Technology, Education, Health and Family Welfare. However, there is a lack of effective coordination between the research activities and allocation of funds of various ministries and institutions. In addition, an effective system for monitoring and evaluating whether the funds allocated for research are being used appropriately is also needed.
Professor Mamun Ahmed said that the UGC has taken the initiative to develop an integrated research repository to eliminate this lack of coordination. He said that information about where in the country, on what subject and what type of research is needed, where what type of research has been done and how the research results can be applied in practice will be stored in this repository. Through this, in addition to reducing the repetition of research, opportunities will be created for investment in need-based research.
Stating that this integrated research database will be particularly effective for universities, he said that especially science and technology universities will be able to identify the real problems of the country and provide effective and sustainable solutions through technology-based research. Emphasis should be placed on ensuring that research results are not limited to research papers but are useful in various fields including industry, agriculture, health, and environment.
Stating that research is not just for publication, citations, or personal research profiles, the UGC Chairman said that the main goal of research should be to improve the quality of life of people and solve real problems of the country. Teachers, students, and young researchers should come forward to identify the country’s small and big problems and find solutions through research. The UGC will provide necessary support in this regard.
Praising the demand for increasing research facilities at RUET, Professor Mamun Ahmed said that demands for increasing infrastructure facilities are usually heard more in various universities. But the issue of increasing the research environment and facilities at RUET has gained importance, which is very positive. The UGC will support in setting up research laboratories, technology-based innovations, and expanding research opportunities.
He said that the responsibility of the university is not only to give certificates to students. Along with enriching their knowledge and skills, one of the main responsibilities of the university is to develop them into responsible and humane citizens by enriching them with moral values. The quality of education and academic environment of a university are also closely linked to the mutual respect, trust and responsible relationship between teachers and students.
Highlighting the situation of various universities in the country after August 5, 2024, the UGC Chairman said that it has been possible to normalize academic activities relatively quickly in those institutions where mutual respect and relationship between teachers and students were good. It is important to develop a culture of mutual respect and tolerance to maintain a peaceful and conducive learning environment in the university.
Urging engineering students to reduce social inequality through technology and play a role in solving the country’s real problems, Professor Mamun Ahmed said that it is not enough to just acquire knowledge and skills; students must be developed with high ethics, human values and social responsibility. Knowledge of technology must be used for the welfare of people.
The discussion meeting was presided over by RUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. SM Abdur Razzak. He said that RUET is playing an important role in the development of engineering and technology education in the country. He emphasized on increasing investment in education and research and building a knowledge-based economy, and sought the full cooperation of the UGC in the advancement of education, research and innovation of the university.
RUET’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Akhtar Hossain spoke as a special guest at the event. In addition, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Professor Dr. Md. Nurul Islam, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering Professor Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Dr. Bashir Ahmed and Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Humanities Professor Dr. Abdul Quader Jilani spoke.
Director of the Student Welfare Department of RUET Professor Dr. Md. Rabiul Islam Sarkar delivered the welcome speech. The event was attended by the University.
