The government is planning to establish another agriculture university to expedite research on agriculture.
The university will be established in Rajshahi, the prime minister said when a delegation of newly elected leaders of Sher-e-Bangla Agriculture University Teachers’ Association met her at her office on Wednesday.
President of the association Alok Kumar Paul and general secretary Mofazzal Hossain led the delegation. Vice-chancellor Shadat Ulla was also present during the visit.
Education minister Nurul Islam Nahid, advisor to the prime minister educationist Alauddin Ahmed, principal secretary Sheikh M Wahid Uz Zaman, PMO secretary Mollah Wahiduzzaman and press secretary Abul Kalam Azad were present.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina stressed making the country’s universities as centres for advanced research and said agricultural research bore extreme importance as demand for food would increase with the increase of population.
‘We should remember that the universities are for research and colleges are for academic activities.
So, the function of the universities should not be reduced to awarding
academic certificates only,’ she said.
She further said, ‘SAU is a specialised institution and it must make its research visible and its results must benefit the people.’
She said her government was trying to make the country’s northern region as store of wheat and maize and southern region as warehouse of rice considering their natural environment.
Referring to her government’s stride for strengthening the rural economy, Sheikh Hasina said development of agriculture sector helped increase
the income and purchase capacity, leading to the elevation of five crore people to middle-income groups from low-income stratum.
‘It was possible in a very short period of
time because of improvement of agriculture,’ she added.
She also attached importance on intensive research on fisheries.
Scientists should also carry out studies on sustainable food processing methods focusing on the locally grown food crops as it is a potential sector for export earning if needs of the Bangladeshi expatriates can be properly catered to, she said.
The association leaders, besides raising some demands, informed the prime minister about setting up of the Wazed Mia Research Centre at the university.
Sheikh Hasina assured them of taking measures after consulting the authorities concerned.