The agreement between various industrial and commercial institutions of Jessore University of Science and Technology (JUST) will play an important role in improving the quality of education, expanding research and creating skilled human resources for employment, said Professor Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun, member of the Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC), a press release said.

He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on ‘Industry-Academia Mutual Collaboration’ and the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five institutions organized at JUST on Wednesday (August 5).

Professor Dr. Mamun said that establishing effective collaboration between the industry and universities is one of the priorities of the current government. Such partnerships will create opportunities for students to acquire practical education, research and skills that are compatible with the needs of the workplace. He said that this collaboration of UB with various industrial institutions will make the university’s education and research more up-to-date and increase the employment prospects of students.

He said that there is a plan to establish ‘AI City’ in every divisional city to expand the opportunities for youth to apply artificial intelligence-based skills. In addition, initiatives are being taken to establish ‘Sports Village’ at the district level to develop sports as a promising profession and create new employment opportunities for sports science students.

Earlier, in a separate seminar titled ‘July 2024: Mass Uprising, Struggle and Dream of a New Bangladesh’, the UGC member said that the mass uprising of 2024 was not just a students’ movement; people from different classes and professions of the society participated in it with the desire to establish a non-discriminatory and inclusive society. The main motivation of this movement was the development of free thought, ensuring freedom of expression and the expectation of ending fascism.

UB Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Yarul Kabir presided over the event. Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Sheikh Mahmudul Hasan, Treasurer Professor Dr. Mohammad Faruk Hasan and July Movement fighter and student Md. Ismail Hossain spoke at the seminar.

Deans of various faculties of the university, departmental chairmen, teachers, students, officers and employees were present at the seminar moderated by the Director of the Student Counseling and Guidance Office Dr. Md. Rafiul Hasan.

Later, UGC member Professor Dr. Abdullah-al-Mamun participated in the tree plantation program organized on the university campus to protect the balance of the environment and combat the adverse effects of climate change.