IUBAT Seminar on Satellite Remote Sensing Data Use
Agricultural crop yield increase through
remote sensing technology

 

Dhaka June 26, 2010

Academic experts  at a seminar on “Satellite Remote Sensing Data Use” viewed that adoption of this new technology will  help the country like Bangladesh mounting crop yield necessary for boosting  agriculture production, strengthening  food security, assisting  disaster management for socio-economic development on the face of climate change. They confirmed, developed countries optimized crop yield substantially through   remote sensing data collection, processing and archiving.

Dr. Zahidur Rahman, Assistant Professor, Laguardia Community Collge (LaGCC), The City University of New York initiated the discussion in keynote presentation at  a seminar on “Estimation of Crop Yield by using Remote Sensing Data, an approach towards food security disaster management in Bangladesh.” The program   arranged  recently by the College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) of International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) at Conference Hall, explored new dynamism in our agricultural sector. 

Introducing  the core concept of thin methodology , conceived in late 1980s based on remote sensing Data, Dr Rahman focused on  its  potential and capacity to provide accurate agro-information at global scale. Remote sensing, he said   has proved its worthiness in countries depending on agriculture as main source of economy striving for increasing agro output, he elaborated.

Presided by Prof. Dr. M Alimullah Miyan, Vice–Chancellor, IUBAT, Dr Shahidullah Mia, Coordinator, College of Agricultural Sciences, Dr MA Jabbar, Chair,Department of Economics, Dr Ataur Rahman, Coordinator, Education for Sustainability, Dr. Emdadul Haque, Faculty member, CAS attended the  seminar. Dr Mujibur Rahman Khan, FacultyCAS, introduced the keynote speaker and moderated the activities of the program.

Dr Rahman, authored several journal articles for international forums demonstrated  the subject outlining its  goals and objectives, operational  activities, different components, expected output, project management criteria,  modus operandi and  the  activity cycle. He detailed its impact on climate and weather cum ecosystems including vector borne disease systems, environment hazards, alternative renewable solar cum wind energy and other core functions.

The seminar reflected on how NOAA improved crop yield by controlling production fluctuation due to rainfall variability causing food insecurity and deficit. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data derived from NOAA-Advanced Very Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and   crop yields forecasting.

IUBAT Vice-Chancellor Prof Miyan concluded saying that the system would  usher in a new era in  crop yielding effort  strengthening food security in Bangladesh. He wished possible collaboration with City University New York  in this effect  may  help  evolve effective modality  and policy guidelines for recommending the proposal to  appropriate  authorities.

Prof Miyan underscored the need of extending academic support by the   professionals in IUBAT CAS for combating natural obstacles against agricultural production due to global climate change factors.

The new sense of direction of the seminar will   invigorate country’s agricultural sector for fostering food security, disaster management and socio-economic development, the organizers believed.

IUBAT Seminar on

Financing Higher Education

Knowledge Based Area Development (KBAD)

A new financing program in higher education launched

Speakers in a seminar expressed deep concern over higher education in the country and suggested ways and means to improve the methodology of teaching with improved curriculum to flourish the intellect thereby enlarging the knowledge base of students befitting to worldwide educational standard in line with scientific, technological innovation and global changes. Financing higher education being an important issue, mentioning this, they explained, prospective students in both public and private universities should be logistically supported with pragmatic policy guidelines to maintain high academic standard in the best interest of national growth and development.

Professional experts, academicians, researchers and resource persons in academic arena were speaking in a Seminar on Financing Higher Education organized by IUBAT on the occasion of Publication of Knowledge Based Area Development (KBAD): A Step Towards Community Self-Reliance authored by Prof. Dr M Alimullah Miyan Vice-Chancellor of IUBAT who presided over the function arranged at the VIP Lounge of Jatiya Press Club, Dhaka yesterday (Wednesday).

Pioneer of the ideology of Non-government University in Bangladesh Prof Miyan made a comprehensive exposure on the concept of KBAD through his presentation highlighting thought of alternative financing for higher education in developing economies like Bangladesh. He developed KBAD illustrating ways forward to overcome obstacle by an alternative financing programme called “knowledge based area development.” Dr. Miyan added that IUBAT is implementing KBAD through provisions of deferred payment, education loan and grants for financially handicapped students. He concluded that to meet up this escalating obstacle requires participation of cross section in the society including the government.

Chief Guest of the function Prof Eric Frank, formerly of  University of Bath, England and Adviser to World Scout Organization, Geneva unwrapped the publication on KBAD and call upon  individuals in all strata of the society and group to continue initiatives for realization of KBAD concept to benefit the entire society by opening new door in higher education. Prof Dr John Richards, Professor, Simon Fraser University, Canada talked on Global Perspective in Higher Education Financing.

Mr Kazi Khaled Shams Chisty, Faculty of IUBAT and Prof Dr M A Mannan demonstrated the existing scenario of higher education financing in Bangladesh emphasizing on problems and prospects through comparative explanation on role of government in educational financing in non-government and public universities.

Summing up the discussion, Prof Miyan reviewing the comments expressed by different professionals during open flood discussion, hoped that with the large scale initiative of the policy makers and educationist the KBAD concept would pave a new horizon in the academic area of the country.

IUBAT-Dialogue on Education for Sustainability

Experts emphasized on education for sustainability to combat climate change 

Speakers in a dialogue expressed serious concern over environmental degradation caused by agricultural land dilapidation, biodiversity, uncontrolled urbanization, water mismanagement, large scale pollution and soil contamination, deeming these as major threats, they suggested for enforcement of regulatory measures in protecting the environment necessary for healthy growth and socio-economic development of the country. They emphasized on education for sustainability to protect environment and combat climate change.   

Number of professional experts was speaking in a dialogue on education for sustainability organized by the Centre for Global Environmental Culture of International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) at SIRDAP Auditorium on Tuesday, August 12, 2008.

Presided over by Prof. Dr. M Alimullah Miyan Vice-Chancellor of IUBAT the function was attended by members of civil society, academics researchers, policy makers, chambers, and professionals in education and environmental sectors. Professor Erick Frank, formerly university of Bath, England attended the dialogue as guest of Honor.

Mr. Nicholas Genis, International Faculty to IUBAT from England in keynote paper detailed package of factors contributing to large scale contamination leading to environmental degradation, resulting in serious health hazards and negating sustainable growth in human, physical and social capital He pointed out that  environmental sustainability, including conservation agricultural land degradation, social forestry, waste water management, biodiversity,  improper resource use, urbanization  are main the main source of environmental pollution. He added that, environmental education is an excellent mechanism to focus upon the participation that is necessary amongst all stakeholders in the development process to create real change for the sustainable use of the environment and resources. The paper further explained that sustainable development effort can be the key to bridging the information gap surrounding environmental issues and made it  further clear that greater awareness and education is necessary to protect the environment `for future prosperity of generations  

Professor Eric Frank, formally with University of Bath, England Guest of Honour speaking on the occasion outlined the importance of sustainability and urged every community leaders and professionals to contribute towards healthy maintenance of environment.   

Dr. Md. Shahidullah Miah, Director, College of Agriculture, Dr. Mustafa Kamal Farooque, Director Department of Environment and Dr. Ferdousi Begum, Executive Director, Development of Biotechnology and Environmental Conservation Centre and Dr Mohammed Ataur Rahman, Faculty, Center for Global Environmental Culture flashed upon core issues identifying irregularities and man made obstacles and suggested for adequate action plan to combat climate change in the country.

Summing up the topic Prof. Dr. M Alimullah Miyan Vice-Chancellor of IUBAT and Chair of the function highlighted the essence of various environmental consequences and made strong case of education for sustainability outlining a programme of action being implemented by the centre to combat environmental degradation through peoples’ participation. This process,  he visualized, will involve policy makers, manages, NGOs, educationists, youth, children and all community organizations as a whole in the country and throughout South Asian regions for dynamic action to meet the challenge in this direction. 

International Seminar On

CSR in Bangladesh: Current Issues and Future Trends

by Mozidur Rahman Biswas   

Speakers at the International Seminar on CSR organized by IUBAT  expressed deep concern over the working atmosphere in both public and private sector in Bangladesh adding that good corporate governance practices would help running every enterprise in  methodical way enabling them to gain  confidence of customers as well as investors. . Terming CSR as the continuous learning process the experts observed that all organizations will have to develop collective competence by educating workforce and improving the overall management.  They also suggested ways and means to improve the working atmosphere by strictly adhering to key concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and disseminating this discipline into entire organ of the organization.

The speakers argued that CSR was related to social management as such by strengthening this practice any organization could develop its operational management to achieve the goal. This would help delivering social compliance required for setting global standard for maximizing the value thereby enhancing competitiveness in the entire organization, they informed.

The first ever seminar on CSR, portrayed a gloomy picture and urged the policy makers at all levels to design a performance roadmap in conformity with set rules as contained in core concept of CSR to develop a good management credential necessary to have a positive impact on the society. They made a clarion call to bring adequate improvements in working methodology and operational activities, in line with global changes to give big push needed for reforms to ensure consistent product quality and overall improvement in management function. 

The Centre for Management Development of International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) organized  daylong International Seminar on Corporate Social Responsibility in Bangladesh: Current Issues and Future Trends recently at the Main Auditorium of IDB Bhaban, Agargaon, Dhaka.HE Dr Stefan Frowein, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh and HE Mr.Fritz Meijnder, Charge d’Affaires, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands were present on the occasion as Chief Guest and Special Guest respectively.

Presided by Professor Mr. M Alimullah Miyan Vice-Chancellor and Founder of IUBAT the Seminar was conducted by number of high profile resource persons from Canada, India, UK, USA, the Netherlands and Bangladesh. Important persons from academia, intelligentsia, civil society, policy makers, business community, chambers, NGO’s and elite of different strata of the society concerned with CSR related assignments attended

the seminar and took part in the deliberations.

Sponsored by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands the objective of the seminar was to provide a greater exposure to the key elements of CSR for improving the performance of business organizations in both public and private sector in Bangladesh The speakers categorically differentiated charity from CSR, keeping the process more action oriented by instigating corporate values, cultures, business strategy and future sustainability. They also made it clear that organization’s profit should reflect core-values and adherence to best practice of CSR regardless of any constraints.  

Speakers explained that the application of CSR oriented operation policy will help achieve optimum production for generating optimum profit, provided the companies concerned maintained a good image for themselves as socially responsible employers demonstrating a genuine intention to contribute growth and development of the country. They also maintained that CSR will help advance economic and social well being enabling people around to realize the full potential.

Keeping in view all these vital issues the seminar underscored the need to craft pragmatic rules and regulation to this effect for excellently managing the business within the broad framework of socio- economic development. They examined the rationale for the adoption of CSR initiatives in management function, community development, corporate sustainability, accountability and professional development for safeguarding the interest of any organization.

HE Dr. Stefan Frowein, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh inaugurating the Seminar as the Chief Guest expressed the hope that Bangladesh will march ahead with good practice of CSR in every sectors utilizing its major components in their overall strategy for improving the operational activities in their respective areas.

Speaking on the occasion as special guest Mr. Fritz Meijndert, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands called upon the professionals in all organizations to enforce CSR policies that reflect public concern about the environment, human resource diversity and to ensure distribution of income to meet the existing challenges in the society.

Number of resource persons from home and abroad presented valuable papers highlighting various key elements and core –concepts of CSR suggesting dissemination of its good components to every organ of all companies to act as a catalyst for significant commercial benefit of the organization concerned.

Dr Syed Saad Andaleeb, Professor, Penn State University, USA, in his key note address observed that the perfect implementation of CSR could bring positive changes in working atmosphere dynamising management procedure helping the government to ensure social responsibility in a country like Bangladesh. He was of the opinion that CSR strategy delivers a strong and positive message that the company is ethically and socially responsible and contributing to the country’s overall economic development.

Dr D Rajasenan, International Centre for Economic Policy Analysis, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala & Engr. K. Vijayachandran, Chairman,  Cochin Centre for Policy Initiatives, Kerala, India in their respective paper detailed  professional views on CSR methodology calling upon  responsible persons in every hierarchy to motivate working manpower to obtain maximum benefit for the society.

In the technical session Dr Rodney J Reed, Company Chairman of Reed Consulting (Bangladesh) Ltd integrating CSR into a company human resource manual, detailed the necessity that organizations in both public and private sectors have to behave in socially responsible way to meet the generalized requirement of the society.

Prof H Eric Frank formerly with the University of Bath, UK presently visiting Professor of IUBAT in his paper pointed to competitive advantage through social responsibility, presented the ethical consumerism that customers are becoming more aware of the environmental and social implications of their day-to-day consumer decisions and are making purchasing decisions according to their environmental and ethical concerns.

Mr Edward Probir Mondol reflecting on CSR  shrimp sector in Bangladesh noted that Bangladeshi shrimp exporters continued to suffer from real problems but despite that they maintained their efforts to upgrade product quality and safety in accordance with the guidelines of FAO of the United Nations.

 Prof Mohammad Raihanul Haque, faculty of IUBAT detailing CSR challenges in the country said that corporate social responsibility is a truly sensitizing concept for local industries. He was of the opinion that the leaders in business and industrial arena will have to demonstrate good corporate practices and professional excellence to boost investor’s confidence, which in turn enhances both domestic and international investment.

Giving an overview of Canadian experience Mr. Nicholas Genis highlighted that implementation of CSR is broadly comparable to other advanced economics and the niche companies and organizations in Canada utilize this discipline as a major component in their overall corporate strategy.

Professor Akbar Hossain, Adjunct  Professor of IUBAT in his paper, Social Compliance Foster Productivity, cited an old saying that people are the best asset in a company rather than expensive machine, if our people stay in peace they will be concentrating more in ensuring quality and quantity. .

The ending session dealt with vital CSR components and examined the ground reality at the field level. Speakers pointed out that the existing challenges have to be addressed with adequate measures suggesting policy making bodies to design pragmatic decision to strengthen corporate practices.

The round up discussion critically examined important features of corporate social responsibility and asked the competent authorities in all sectors to continue relentless efforts to change the scenario by administrative measures for recording significant changes in CSR initiatives.

Number of participants pointed out that various anomalies are prevalent in every strata of society to hinder CSR practices and called upon the professionals at all levels to evolve policy guidelines to establish strong corporate discipline necessary to strengthen capacity building efforts.

Summing up the discussion Prof M Alimullah Miyan who chaired the session, said that this seminar would herald a new beginning enabling all professionals to participate in fruitful discussions and debates to help evolve and implement CSR practices in a desired manner to materialize the dream of this country- to attain a good standing in local and international marker.  

(The writer Mozidur Rahman Biswas, media consultant & economic analyst is a member of National Press Club, Dhaka. email:mr_biswas@yahoo.com)

International Seminar On

CSR in Bangladesh: Current Issues and Future Trends

Speakers at the International Seminar on CSR expressed deep concern over the working atmosphere in both public and private sectors and opined that good corporate governance practices are required to gain investors’ confidence. They suggested ways and means to improve the atmosphere adhering to the key concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The first ever seminar on CSR, portrayed a gloomy picture in the area and urged the policy makers at all levels to design a performance roadmap in conformity with set rules following the core concept of CSR to develop good management credentials necessary to have a positive impact on the society. They made a clarion call to bring adequate improvements in working methodology and operational activities, in line with global changes, to give a big push to needed reforms to ensure consistent product quality and overall improvement in management.

The Centre for Management Development (CMD) of International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) organized this daylong International Seminar on Corporate Social Responsibility in Bangladesh: Current Issues and Future Trends recently at the Main Auditorium of IDB Bhaban, Agargaon, Dhaka. Sponsored by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands the Seminar was organized by IUBAT in collaboration with Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dutch Bangla Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Tilburg University of the Netherlands.

Speakers were of the view that the application of CSR oriented operation policy will help achieve optimum production for generating optimum profit, provided the companies concerned maintained a good image for themselves as socially responsible employers demonstrating a genuine intention to contribute growth and development of the country. They also maintained that CSR will help advance economic and social well being to enable people around to realize the full potential. Thy also underscored the need to craft fare rules and regulations for excellently managing the business within the broad framework of socio- economic development.    

The objective of the seminar was to provide a greater exposure to the key elements of CSR for improving the performance of business organizations in both public and private sector. The speakers categorically differentiated charity from CSR, keeping the process more action oriented by instigating corporate values, cultures, business strategy and future sustainability.   

Presided by Professor Mr. M Alimullah Miyan Vice-Chancellor and Founder of IUBAT the Seminar was conducted by number of high profile resource persons from Canada, India, UK, USA, the Netherlands and Bangladesh. Important persons from academia, intelligentsia, civil society, policy makers, business community, chambers, NGO’s and elite of different strata of the society concerned with CSR related assignments attended the seminar and took part in the deliberations. They examined the rationale for the adoption of CSR initiatives in management function, community development, corporate sustainability, accountability and professional development for safeguarding the interest of any organization. Speakers also made it clear that organization’s profit should reflect core-values and adherence to best practice of CSR regardless of any constraints.   

HE Dr. Stefan Frowein, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh inaugurated the Seminar as the Chief Guest expressed the hope that Bangladesh will march ahead with good practice of CSR in every sectors utilizing its major components in their overall strategy for improving the operational activities in their respective areas. Speaking on the occasion as special guest Mr. Fritz Meijndert, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands called upon the professionals in all organizations to enforce CSR policies that reflect public concern about the environment, human resource diversity and to ensure distribution of income to meet the existing challenges in the society.

Number of resource persons from home and abroad presented valuable papers highlighting various key elements and core –concepts of CSR suggesting dissemination of its good components to every organ of all companies to act as a catalyst for significant commercial benefit of the organization concerned.

The speakers argued that CSR was related to social management as such by strengthening this practice any organization could develop its operational management to achieve the goal. This would help delivering social compliance required for setting global standard for maximizing the value thereby enhancing competitiveness in the entire organization, they added.

Dr Syed Saad Andaleeb, Professor, Penn State University, USA, in his key note address observed that the perfect implementation of CSR could bring positive changes in working atmosphere dynamising management procedure helping the government to ensure social responsibility in a country like Bangladesh. He was of the opinion that CSR strategy delivers a strong and positive message that the company is ethically and socially responsible and contributing to the country’s overall economic development.

Dr D Rajasenan, International Centre for Economic Policy Analysis, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala & Engr. K. Vijayachandran, Chairman,  Cochin Centre for Policy Initiatives, Kerala, India in their respective papers detailed  professional views on CSR methodology calling upon  responsible persons in every hierarchy to motivate working manpower to obtain maximum benefit for the society.

In the technical session Dr Rodney J Reed, Company Chairman of Reed Consulting (Bangladesh) Ltd integrating CSR into a company human resource manual, detailed the necessity that organizations in both public and private sectors have to behave in socially responsible way to meet the generalized requirement of the society.

Prof H Eric Frank formerly with the University of Bath, UK presently visiting Professor of IUBAT in his paper, pointed to competitive advantage through social responsibility, presented the ethical consumerism that customers are becoming more aware of the environmental and social implications of their day-to-day consumer decisions and are making purchasing decisions according to their environmental and ethical concerns.

Mr Edward Probir Mondol reflecting on CSR in shrimp sector in Bangladesh noted that Bangladeshi shrimp exporters continued to suffer from real problems but despite that they maintained their efforts to upgrade product quality and safety in accordance with the guidelines of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

 Prof Mohammad Raihanul Haque, faculty of IUBAT detailing CSR challenges in the country said that corporate social responsibility is a truly sensitizing concept for local industries. He was of the opinion that the leaders in business and industrial arena will have to demonstrate good corporate practices and professional excellence to boost investor’s confidence, which in turn enhances both domestic and international investment.

Giving an overview of Canadian experience Mr. Nicholas Genis highlighted that implementation of CSR is broadly comparable to other advanced economics and the niche companies and organizations in Canada utilize this discipline as a major component in their overall corporate strategy.

Professor Akbar Hossain, Adjunct Professor of IUBAT in his paper, Social Compliance Foster Productivity, cited an old saying that people are the best asset in a company rather than expensive machine, if our people stay in peace they will be concentrating more  in ensuring quality and quantity. .

The ending session dealt with vital CSR components and examined the ground reality at the field level. Speakers pointed out that the existing challenges have to be addressed with adequate measures suggesting policy making bodies to design pragmatic decision to strengthen corporate practices.

 The round up discussion critically examined important features of corporate social responsibility and asked the competent authorities in all sectors to continue relentless efforts to change the scenario by administrative measures for recording significant changes in CSR initiatives.

Number of participants pointed out that various anomalies are prevalent in every strata of society to hinder CSR practices and called upon the professionals at all levels to evolve policy guidelines to establish strong corporate discipline necessary to strengthen capacity building efforts. 

Summing up the discussion Prof M Alimullah Miyan who chaired the session, said that this seminar would herald a new beginning enabling all professionals to participate in fruitful discussions and debates to help evolve and implement CSR practices in a desired manner to materialize the dream of this country to attain a good standing in local and international market.

(The writer Mozidur Rahman Biswas is an economic analyst and member of National Press Club, Dhaka.)

IUBAT Seminar on

Ethics

His Excellency Jon Scott, former Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Professor of Simon Fraser University, Canada visited the campus of International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) in Uttara on Wednesday, April 16. Mr. Scott delivered a seminar on the subject of “Ethics in Contemporary Society”, which stressed the necessity of practicing ethics in daily personal life in order to achieve ethics in business and government. He addressed the concept of the transcendence of ethics over law, in the sense that certain acts may be legal but may still be immoral. Mr. Scott completed his theme by speculating on whether our ethics today is sufficient to ourselves, or whether we are ethically bound to consider how our actions will affect future generations. The seminar had an impulsive participation by the congenial calibers. Katia Wong, a CIDA intern in the IUBAT College of Nursing (CN) introduced HE Scott to the audience.

His Excellency congratulated Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. M. Alimullah Miyan on the longstanding ties between IUBAT and Canada.  He appreciated IUBAT’s contribution to the area of public policy, in cooperation with Simon Fraser University, and to Canadian research volunteers and mentors in nursing education in cooperation with the Langara College BSN program and the Mid-Main Health Clinic in Vancouver.  Vice-Chancellor Miyan and the students presented His Excellency with mementos of Bangladesh and offered their hopes for future visits.

Binita Shah, a student of Bachelor of Science in Nursing conducted the seminar. The seminar ended with refreshment at the IUBAT Café.

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