Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Science and Technology University's sixth foundation anniversary

On November 28, 2017, the 'Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib University of Science and Technology Bill-2017' was passed in the National Parliament. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially inaugurated the university during her visit to the newly formed department of Mymensingh in 2018.

The work of giving full shape to the university which was in 'zero', started with less manpower. Officials of related departments and departments of the government including UGC extended their hand of cooperation in it. Mirza Azam MP established a modern and beautiful permanent campus in the green natural environment of Melandah on January 1, 2022 with the full cooperation of the government.

The academic program started in the academic year 2018-19. Since then, teaching has been going on as a temporary campus in a rented building of Bangabandhu Ideal College at Dewanpara in the district town. From January 1, 2022, the activities of the university have been shifted to the permanent campus of Melandaha University. Currently, multimedia projectors are arranged in the classrooms as part of the government's implementation of 'Digital Bangladesh', despite limited resources.

At present, the renowned teacher of Jagannath University, internationally renowned Physicist
Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Alam Khan is serving as the second vice-chancellor of the university.

High speed internet connection is provided here so that students and teachers can connect to the 'Global Village'. Labs with modern facilities are set up. A rich library has been established; Where apart from reference books, students can read different types of books including local and foreign journals.

Debate Club, Robotics Club and Computer Club have been formed to engage the students in various educational platforms. Besides, regular sports are also organized. At present five batches are studying in the university. From March 18, 2020, the entire educational program came to a standstill due to the coronavirus (Covid-19). However, to compensate for this loss, online classes are conducted in every department.

In Corona situation, poor students are supported by the university. Besides, scholarships are given to poor but talented students. This trend will continue in the future. In the academic year 2018-19, the first batch students are admitted in four departments under four faculties. These are Computer Science and Engineering, Social Work, Mathematics and Management.

In the second year a new department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering has been added. At present, under the Faculty of Fisheries, Engineering, Science, Business Education, Biology and Agriculture, Earth Science and Sociology, seven departments have been appointed to provide modern, quality teaching and world-class education to students with higher degrees and talented teachers.

From the current academic year 2022-23, the Vice-Chancellor has introduced a department called Geology. Currently the work of DPP of the university is going on. If it is passed, a campus will be established on 500 acres of land.

Mirza Azam MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Textiles and Jute and Member of Parliament for Jamalpur-3 Constituency has played an important role in the establishment of this university. This leader of the people continues to cooperate in various ways. Apart from the local residents, people of various professions extended their hand of cooperation.

Every year since its establishment, apart from celebrating the birthday of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, national days are being celebrated and observed with due dignity. Apart from social responsibility, university teachers-students and officers-employees have also participated in various public welfare works. Hand sanitizers made by teachers and students have been distributed free of charge during the Corona period.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, various programs were undertaken by Bashefmubiprobi. A 'Bangabandhu Corner' has been set up in this University campus on the occasion of 'Mujib Barsha' so that our students can learn more about Bangabandhu and our liberation war.

Besides, a memorial book entitled 'Avinashi Janak Tumi' has been published. Valuable writings of eminent writers and researchers including President, Prime Minister, Speaker have been included in it. A new university means a challenge, a new experience.

After joining this university, Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Fisheries College was assimilated into Bashefmubiprabi in the view of the Prime Minister's order. Since the establishment of the college in 2000 by public leader Alhaj Mirza Azam, MP, degrees have been awarded to students under Bangladesh Agricultural University.

According to the government instructions, the teachers-officers and employees of the then Fisheries College were assimilated in different positions according to their respective qualifications. At the same time, students of three academic years have been admitted to the university. Besides, the property of the college has been handed over to the university.

An academic building with 50 rooms, two halls, administrative building and facilities have been constructed and renovated there. There is a spacious playground. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given us a framework to build a prosperous Bangladesh. They are Vision 2021, 2030, 2041 and Centenary Delta Plan.

Bangladesh will be placed on the world map as a developed and self-respecting country only if these visions can be implemented. In this regard, we have to convert the huge youth population into skilled human resources. Keeping this in mind, a master plan has been taken to organize the education program of Bashefmubiprabi.

Because there is no alternative to enrich academic research. In this case, apart from long-term planning, there is research on space, reading and thinking about environment and management. There is also the issue of cooperative agreements with domestic and foreign universities.

We are now talking about robotics, virtual reality, quantum computing or invisible technology. Focusing on it, Bashefmubiprobi will launch departments like robotics and mechatronics in the future. We dream that one day Bashefmubiprobi students will lead the country and abroad in every field. It will enrich the future of the country, brighten the face of the university and the country.

They are being built that way within limited resources. Without research there is no opportunity to create new knowledge. Research work is very important for the university. University research is generally academic in nature.

Necessary initiatives are being taken to ensure that this knowledge gathering work continues in Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib University of Science and Technology in the future. Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) has been established. A research cell has also been formed.

Laboratory development work is quite expensive. The equipment needed for this is worth billions of Takas. Journals will be published in each faculty. Research and articles that demonstrate knowledge-based practice through publication will also be looked at. For this, Public Relations, Publication and Information Rights Department has been established.

We want to develop the university founded in the name of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa as a center for the practice of free intellect, the values of freedom, progressive thinking and the realization of the dream of liberation war. The work is progressing as per the plan. In this way day by day Bashefmubiprobi will create its own culture.

Most importantly, this educational institution is on the way to fulfill the goals and objectives of the university. We, faculty, staff and students, strive to meet the conditions necessary to move towards a higher quality institution of higher learning.

In this regard, the local people, the relevant departments and offices of the government are giving us enough help and cooperation. Since the Bashefmubiprobi Act was gazetted on 28 November, it was decided to celebrate that day as 'University Day'.

This golden day of the sixth foundation anniversary is the day to take the determination to move forward by re-designing the future action plan and removing the obstacles on the path of success. On the occasion of the University Day, my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all the students, teachers, staff, parents and all concerned.

Author: Registrar, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib University of Science and Technology, Jamalpur.