‘Govt aims to establish cross-border university’

The government bas been working to establish a cross-border university in the country said Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon .

“Alongside establishing new universities based on the country’s needs, the government will also expand the scope and capacity of existing universities,” he said.

The minister made the remarks while addressing a programme marking the 23rd anniversary of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) as the chief guest on Tuesday afternoon.

Recalling the BNP government’s role in the establishment of KUET, Milan said a historic decision was taken in 2003 to convert the country’s four Bangladesh Institutes of Technology (BITs) into universities. KUET emerged as part of that process, he added.

The minister said universities need to strengthen their research and alumni activities to secure better positions in global rankings.

“We are falling behind in global competition not because of a lack of talent, but because of inadequate efforts and the improper application of systems,” he said.

He said people in Bangladesh and those in Europe and America were created with the same basic potential by the Creator. “We must make the best use of our abilities and devote ourselves to education and acquiring knowledge through research,” he added.

Addressing the students, the minister urged them to study seriously if they wanted to contribute to themselves, their parents, the country and the nation as a whole.

He also called on them to focus on research and develop themselves as skilled and competent professionals.

Bangladesh National Parliament Whip Rakibul Islam Bakul, speaking as a special guest, said the government was working to build a modern, timely and employment-oriented education system.

“The government expects students to acquire knowledge through education and research and dedicate themselves to serving the country and its people,” he said.

He urged students to develop their skills in line with technological advancements in the era of artificial intelligence.

“We have to move forward by accepting the changes of the times and adapting ourselves to technology,” Bakul said.

The programme was chaired by KUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Masud.
Professor Dr Muhammad Shajahan Ali, director of KUET’s Institute of Disaster Management, and Professor Dr Md Hasan Ali, director of the Directorate of Students’ Welfare, also spoke at the event.

Officials from different government departments, KUET teachers and students, public representatives and media workers attended the programme.

Earlier, Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Milan joined a gathering, a celebratory rally and a tree-planting programme organised to mark the university’s anniversary.