Technical professionals need to develop expertise

 in line with global changes to ensure

Speakers at the Foundation Ceremony of Electrical and Electronic Association (IEEEA), International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) expressed concern over inadequacy in technical knowledge negating overall technological progress in the country. They stressed on the need of undertaking greater initiative by higher academic institutions both in public and private sectors to produce technical professionals with adequate efficiency by comprehensive capacity building efforts. The speakers hoped that technological knowledge generation in line with global changes will be a big push to accelerate growth facilitating millennium development goal set for the country.

Professor Dr M Alimullah Miyan, Vice-Chancellor inaugurating the function said the fundamental objective of university education is cultivation of knowledge as such students of engineering discipline should continue sustained effort to acquire professional expertise having full authority over the subject and adequate command in English language. He called upon the   students of engineering to involve in extensive study for refining theoretical knowledge by vigorous   practical experiments in order to   accomplish professional skill and excellence.

The colorful IEEEA program started with pomp and grandeur around twilight   at IUBAT premises in presence of enthusiastic gathering comprising departmental Chairs of Engineering Departments, Coordinators, Faculty Members, Alumnus, students including important members of local community. The event aroused new vigor and commitment amongst the students in and around the campus.

Speaking on the occasion Prof Dr Engr A Z A Saifullah, Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering quoting   old saying said, when physicians mistake the patients may die but in case of the fault of   engineers   the civilization may be collapsed.

Dr. Md Munirul Islam, Chair, Civil Engineering, Prof. Amanullah, Chair, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Utpal Kanti Das, Coordinator, Computer Science, Engineer Abul Basher, Coordinator, Electrical and electronics Engineering and Ms. Selina  Nargis, Director, Administration also spoke on the occasion highlighting various aspects of developing professional insight and commitment. They outlined various prospects of engineering education and suggested measures to further equipping the lab with latest technological appliances in line with global technological changes.

The gathering, earlier, condoled the tragic death in grisly horror of Army officials at the BDR headquarters recently, expressed sympathy to the bereaved   family members and prayed for the   salvation of the departed souls pronouncing   irreparable losses incurred to the   nation in view of   such an unfortunate occurrence.

 Prof Dr. M Alimullah Miyan Vice- Chancellor, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) and Convener, Quality Assessment Committee of APUB  initiated the convention in the morning. He welcoming the illustrious gathering comprising Vice- Chancellors, Deans, Heads of Departments, Principals of colleges and   academicians  from universities and higher degree institutions from across Bangladesh.  He highlighted   the importance of quality assurance system expressing the   necessity of evolving an assessment  mechanisms   for strengthening the operational activities and quality enhancement in higher academic institutions.

National Professor Dr. Nurul Islam inaugurated the   Convention first time on higher education   in Bangladesh yesterday (Sunday)  at IUBAT campus, Uttara, Dhaka. in  presence of  large number of  senior academics in the country with a pledge  to develop a roadmap for implementing quality assurance in higher educational institutes.  

The daylong convention was professionally supported by Dr. Gholam Kibria, Delaware State University, USA, Prof Alex Berland, University of British Columbia, Canada and Dr Shamsul Huq,  of Northern University and Prof. Dr M Alimullah Miyan by presenting valuable papers highlighting salient features of quality assurance following tough process of  accreditation.

Prof Dr Abulhasn M Sadeq VC,Asian University of Bangladesh, Professor Monirul Hoque, VC, Darul Ihsan University, Prof. Mohammed A. Aziz, VC, University of Information Technology and Science  Dr Rahim Baksha Talukder,VC,Eastern University, Mr Mustafa Kamal, Northern University, Dr Mohammad Abdus Samad, Bangladesh Agriculture University, Mymensingh, Prof Shaheda Rahman, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology among others who spoke during  open discussion covering  vital matters  relevant to quality improvement. process .  

In his presentation, Dr.Gholam Kibria of USA detailing the elements of accreditation globally practiced  said accreditation is widely viewed as a process which serve as the basis for assurance of quality in higher education. The main goal of accreditation process is to facilitate student learning by improving   the standard of academic programs and instructional strategies. He emphasized on  social mobility, characteristics of accreditation measures, educational effectiveness and assessment of learning. His analysis further focused on what should be expected from accreditation and the need for accreditation pursued   in  all universities in Bangladesh.

Canadian management expert, Prof Alex Berland opened his presentation with the question, “How do we consider quality from both the student’s and the teacher’s perspective?”  After describing the differences between these viewpoints, he proposed that employers want graduates who display critical thinking, life-long learning and accountability.

Prof. Berland further commented that effective quality management is essential in higher education. Faculty evaluation should be part of regular and rigorous self-examination by the university. He felt that external accreditation should be performed by the appropriate professional and academic bodies. Top ranked institutes welcome evaluation by international experts. Credibility begins with transparency.

Severe Environmental Pollution Threatens

Speakers at a seminar expressed concern over high level natural and man-made environmental pollution in water, air, soil, noise, radiation and other sources that pose great threat against long term development effort in the country and suggested appropriate policy action  based on sustainable environmental education to combat the ever increasing pollution for securing future growth of national economy. The seminar has placed a package of recommendations for scientific, administrative, social and legal measures to check countrywide pollution explosion.

The Centre for Global Environmental Culture of IUBAT—International University of Business Agriculture and Technology organized a daylong seminar on “The Role of Education for Sustainability in Pollution Control” on Tuesday at the Conference Hall of the university.

Inaugurating the program, Professor Mahmuda Khanaum Pro-Vice- Chancellor called upon the people at large to be more conscious in protecting healthy environment. Expressing great concern   against large scale pollution due to illegal dumping of waste deterring natural flow of River Turag, she mentioned, IUBAT has recently launched a campaign “Save the River Turag”. She felt through environmental education, research and seminars that the higher academic institutions could contribute immensely by voicing against any sort of environment pollution.

The seminar was participated by experts from environmental arena, academics, resource persons including members of faculty and students of the university. Speakers in their deliberations pointed out major causes of pollution in land, river, road, industrial establishment and other areas suggesting professional view to maintain environmental balance necessary for man’s very survival and protecting the planet earth from great risk exists around biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.

Dr. Mohammed Ataur Rahman, Coordinator, Program on Education for Sustainability of CGEC, IUBAT in his keynote paper highlighted the causes of world wide pollution in all spheres of human life. He stressed on development of indigenous knowledge on environmental management and sustainability through research, consultation and appropriate technical skills to face the wide spread challenge of environment degradation for future prosperity. Mentioning series of natural and man-made pollution Dr. Rahman said, pollutants of even small amount may cause profound effect on health of human race and all living creatures around us. Quoting Dr. Vern O. Knudsen of University of California “noise, like smog, is a slow agent of death” Dr Rahman added that city dwellers in the country are passing through silent agony of death every moment being trapped into severe pollution. He also placed a package of recommendations towards immediate implementation of the laws to combat pollution problems.  

Dr. Shohidullah Miah , Director College of Agricultural Sciences in  IUBAT detailing out major sources of water pollution, disclosed that a low cost effluent treatment process for waste water by anaerobic microbial method is a very eco-friendly technology developed by research at Kashempur, Gazipur at Mascom Composite Limited.

Mr Farid Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director & CEO of Arannayk Foundation, Bangladesh Tropical Forest Conservation portraying very gloomy picture said, the country is wasting substantial amount of natural resources and suggested to use building blocks instead of bricks in construction works and stop massive use of gas for unproductive purposes. Expressing critical view on traffic jam he underlined that developing countries like Bangladesh can hardly afford massive loss of man-hour due to tremendous road blocking, everyday scenario in the capital city. Giving a calculation he disclosed that in Dhaka city for 10 (ten) million population, the country approximately incurs  loss of 5 (five) million man-hour being 100 (one hundred) million BDT if computed on the basis of minimum wage of a labour.

Dr. Sohrab Ali, Deputy Director, Department of Environment emphasizing on education for sustainability through formal and informal education and research  for creating consciousness amongst mass people towards   wide ranging solutions to environmental crises    Prof. Raihanul Haque, Faculty of IUBAT, moderating the event analyzed  the essence of the deliberations specifying objective of the program.

Head, Community Relations

As to his education, Dr Miyan earned BCom (hons) and MCom from Dhaka University, MBA from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA and PhD from Manchester Business School, Victoria University of Manchester, England, UK. 

Before his association with IUBAT, Dr Miyan had been the Professor and Director of Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Dhaka University, Founder Chairman of Centre for Population Management and Research (CPMR), IBA, Visiting Professor in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria,  Senior Lecturer of Department of Commerce, Dhaka University, Research Associate at Social Science Research Committee, Dhaka University and Lecturer in Commerce at Saadat College, Karatia, Tangail.

IUBAT Community congratulates him for such distinguished achievements and wishes his continued success. May the Almighty give him continued ability to make worthwhile contributions in many fields of his interest.

He will be buried today at 1:30 pm at the Shena Bahini Graveyard after his first namaze-janaza at IUBAT Premises at 11:30 am and second namaze-janaza at Central Mosque at Dhaka Cantonment which is opposite to the Army Head Quarter at 1:15 pm with national esteems.  

The late Col (rtd) Md Shafiq Ullah was born in 26^th October, 1941 in the village of Kailine of Chandina thana of Comilla District. He came from a famous and educated Muslim family. He directly fought in the war of liberation in 1971 and was the Commander of both the 8 No Sector ‘E’ Company and 5 No Garrilla Unit during the war. He had been bestowed the fame of Bir Protick as a recognition for his heroism in the war and successes. He started his professional career as a Professor of Bengali at the Jhinedah Cadet College. After the liberation he served Shena Shadar, Bangladesh Military Academy, 24 Padatik Division, Army School of Education and Administration and so on in different important position. In the back 1996 after his retirement from the Armed Forces he joined IUBAT as the Treasurer and served for more than 13 years with devotion for development of IUBAT. He is the composer of several books on liberation war, for instance he writes Muktijuddhe Banglar Nari, Ekatturer Ranangon, Gorilla Juddho O Hemayat Bahini, Muktijuddhe Chittagong, Muktijuddhe Nau Cammendo and Muktijuddhe 8 No Sector.  

All the classes of IUBAT are suspended for today and IUBAT community is sad to loose a patron and well wisher.

Speaking at the meeting, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr M Alimullah Miyan said that Prof Mutalib was a dedicated teacher who also contributed greatly to the development of IUBAT by bringing in new ideas, supporting and nurturing students, and taking a lot of trouble to bring happiness to all around him.  He announced that a Professor M A Mutalib Memorial Committee would be formed in the university to establish a permanent fund for offering a scholarship and carrying on any other activity in his memory.

Prof K R Kamal Wadood, Chair, Department of Languages, said that he was an extraordinary teacher who was innovative in helping students to learn, and while teaching English, taught them many other things about health, nature, and life in general in a poetic and creative way.

Speakers recalled that he was a simple man of profound knowledge, character, dignity and subtle humour; he was a lover of nature, plants.  An aristocrat by nature, who had an aura of loftiness.  He was a symbol of freedom, and modernism and was relaxed in conversation. 

Azmin Ara Khatun and Nurul Amin Choudhury, students of BSEEE of IUBAT in their speeches recalled that he was a great teacher who made learning enjoyable and taught them not only to overcome the fear of English but also many other things like how to overcome the problems of life. 

Preceded by a Doa led by Prof. Raihanul Haque of IUBAT the ceremony was  attended by Prof. M Alimullah Miyan Vice Chancellor and brother of  late Shafique Ullah DCC Chief Executive Officer Md. Alauddin, Kazi, Chief Engineer, Coln. Ashfaqul Islam Chief Health Officer Coln. Dr Md Shawkat Ali along with Hazrat Ali, Commissioner, Nurul Amin, Executive Engineer,   Nilufar Begum, Former Director General Department of Women Affairs. Professor Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah of Dhaka University, Prof. Mahmuda Khanam Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Members of faculty and students of IUBAT. Moreover ,important persons of Uttara Community and cross section of people  including relations attended on the occasion to pay respect to  the deceased liberation hero.

Late  Shafique  was born on 26th October, 1941 in village Kailine under Police Station: Chandina, District: Comilla. He comes of an   educated zamider cum religious family  directly fought in the war of liberation in 1971.He was the Commander of both the 8 No Sector ‘E’ Company and 5 No Guerrilla Unit. In recognition  to his  heroic contribution in the liberation war, the nation honoured  him with the gallantry award of Bir Protik.

The late Coln efficiently served in Army Headquarter, Bangladesh Military Academy,24 Invision, Army School of Education and Administration in important position till his retirementin in 1996.

He   started his professional career as a Professor of Bengali at the Jhenidah Cadet College. Beside Bangla Academy, he had affiliations with a number of intellectual organizations. He also authored number of Books based on his experiences in liberation war.Some of them are : 1.Muktijuddhe Banglar Nari (2003), 2. Ekatturer Ranangon: Guerilla Juddho O Hemayat Bahini (2004), 3.Muktijuddhe Chittagong (2005) 4.Muktijuddhe Nau Cammendo (2005), 5.Muktijuddhe 8 No Sector (2006),and 5.Baliadangar Juddho (2007)

He was speaking at the conference hall of International University of Business Agriculture and Technology(IUBAT)  today (Sunday) as a part of graduate students outreach program highlighting different components and requirements for admission as well as to obtain visa for pursuing higher Education    in USA.

Students of various program and departments of IUBAT attended the function organized with the help of American Centre in Bangladesh.

Briefing the students Mr Dreesen detailed out   basic requirements, various aspect of financial assistance with special reference to TOEFL , GMAT, GRE test and  curriculum. Answering to questions raised by the students in various matters relating to admission and visa procedure he was of the opinion that due to lack of seriousness in sorting out documents many genuine candidates are flopped on every occasion.

Mrs Linda Das  Quamar , Student Advising Outreach Coordinator of US Embassy in her speech stressed on academic standard and  clarified various query been made by  the participating students on the occasion.

Mrs Arifatur Rahman Faculty, Computer Science Program of IUBAT moderated the proceedings and also thanked the visiting US diplomatic officials to the campus for academic dispensation.

Following the presentation, the Visitors called on the Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr M Alimullah Miyan to exchange views on mutual cooperation. Prof Miyan appreciated the cooperation of the US government in having two Senior Fulbright Fellows IUBAT in this year.

 Of

The monograph has been co-authored by Dr John Richards, Professor of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University (SFU), Canada and Member of the IUBAT International Advisory Council, Mr B D Rahamatullah, Director, Training, Rural Electrification Board and Ms Nancy Norris, SFU, Canada.

Prof Dr M Alimullah Miyan, Vice-Chancellor of IUBAT presided over the function attended by cross section of people including experts in the energy sectors and resource persons, hoped that  the new monograph will be a  catalytic force in driving the operational activities of Rural Electrification Board. He added that power shortage is a burning blockade for economic development of Bangladesh and can be outdo through appropriate implementation of area based planning options.    

Mr B D Rahamatullah unwrapped the monograph. Mr Rahamatullah who gathered extensive experience all through his long association with the power sector development shared that area based planning initiatives for rural electrification is a definite viable option, if implemented, would yield maximum output in liberating the country people from hazardous power shortage. Mr Rahmatullah in his speech highlighted the background of the new monograph which they co-authored and projected different problems in the operational filed giving details of working methodology being exercised. He hoped that the new monograph released will bring grater dynamism in all functionaries improving working and supply condition.  

International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) has signed an agreement with University of Victoria, Canada under which practicum training would be provided to the students pursuing studies in Bachelor of Science course in the College of Nursing in IUBAT.

 Prof. M Alimullah Miyan, Vice-Chancellor and Founder of IUBAT and Dr. Mary Ellen Purkis Dean of Faculty of Human & Social Development of Victoria University signed the agreement on behalf of the two universities in presence of Dr Karen Lund, Chair, College of Nursing (CN) and some other departmental heads and faculty members.

 The agreement contains a comprehensive package of facilities for admission and training within an established curriculum for professional development of students in nursing programme. The duration of the practicum placement period for an effective learning activity shall be specified by the University of Victoria in each and every case. The University shall carry a practicum insurance policy that provides additional medical benefits as well as accidental death dismemberment, 24 hours a day while the student is actively working in practicum.

 This agreement between IUBAT and University of Victoria, Canada will significantly strengthen development efforts and internationalization of IUBAT. With this agreement, lUBAT's international active accreditation level reached 59 institutions in North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. The agreement will greatly facilitate exchange of students, admission facilitation; exchange of scholarly and pedagogical materials in the areas of common interest in the coming years. This will also contribute to strengthening of relationship between Bangladesh and Canada in the educational & cultural fields.

Numbers of stalls were opened by the students for selling variety of fashion cloths, handicrafts and other commodities including food items in this mini campus market which created a lot of enthusiasm and commotion amongst the different community of the Varsity. 

Prof Dr M Alimullah Miyan Vice-Chancellor of IUBAT inaugurating the program in the morning and he called upon the students to participate in practical activities side by side with academic knowledge for capacity building. Professor Eric Frank, formerly of the University of Bath, England opened the stalls by cutting the ribbon.

The members of faculty, spouses and others visited different stalls and purchased preferred items to encourage the students on the occasion. Meena Bazar is part of the practical of the Marketing Management course conducted by Ms Sumaiya Minnat involving 70 students of BBA program.