Biotech Association of NSTU Begins Its Journey with Basic R Programming Seminar

NSTU Correspondent:
Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) witnessed the official inauguration of its Biotech Association under the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (BGE) through the arrangement of a seminar titled “Basic R Programming” on Monday (November 3). The event took place at the university’s Video Conference (VC On) room. The university’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Muhammad Ismail attended the seminar as the chief guest, while Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Rezuanul Haque, Treasurer Professor Dr. Muhammad Hanif (Murad), and Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences Professor Dr. Mohammad Shafiqul Islam were present as special guests. The seminar was presided over by Associate Professor Dr. Abu Nasar Mia, Chairman of the BGE department. Md. Nur Islam, Lab Technician of the Bioinformatics and Computational Biotechnology Division, served as the resource person of the session.

Earlier, on September 9, a notice signed by Associate Professor Dr. Abu Nasar Mia and Associate Professor Dr. Mohammad Mofizul Islam announced the formation of the Biotech Association’s first convening committee, marking the formal beginning of the association’s journey. The convening committee includes: Convenor: Associate Professor Dr. Abu Nasar Mia Member Secretary: Associate Professor Dr. Mohammad Mofizul Islam Joint Convenors (15th Batch): Angkon Das, Mahmud Hasan Tuhin, and Sithi Rani Sinha Executive Members (16th–20th Batches): Maksudur Rahman Maruf, Sumaiya Islam Mishu, Imam Mehedi Hasan, Sojana Rahman Boishakhi, Md. Hasnat Talukder Likhan, Irtifa Turin Oishi, Md. Mehedi Hasan Imon, Md. Rasel, Hannan Shahriar, and Ripujoyee Das. Speaking about the initiative, Joint Convenor Angkon Das said, “The future of biotechnology lies not only inside laboratories but also within data and code. In modern research, the ability to interpret data is the real strength. R programming can open new horizons for that skill. Through this initiative, the Biotech Association aims to advance NSTU’s research culture toward more modern and data-driven exploration.” He further added that an online workshop will follow the seminar, offered at a minimal cost of Tk 999, while similar courses outside typically cost Tk 3,000–4,000. “We want students of our department and all learners from biological sciences to be skilled not only in laboratory work but also in computational analysis. This workshop is just the beginning of that journey,” he said.