Md. Nasir Uddin, Gazipur City

Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU) and the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) have reached a consensus on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen mutual cooperation. The initiative is expected to open new avenues for collaboration between the two institutions in agriculture, rural development, research, training and knowledge exchange.

The consensus was reached at a meeting held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday at the Academic Council Meeting Room of Gazipur Agricultural University, organized to discuss the signing of the MoU. CIRDAP Director General Dr. P. Chandra Shekhar and GAU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. G.K.M. Mostafizur Rahman reached the agreement. The meeting was chaired by the GAU Vice-Chancellor.

At the beginning of the programme, an introductory session was held among representatives of the two institutions. Later, a documentary highlighting the historical journey, education, research, recent achievements and successes of Gazipur Agricultural University was screened. The documentary presented a brief overview of the university’s academic activities, research, innovations and international advancement.

An open discussion was then held on the prospects of joint initiatives in integrated research on agriculture and rural development, capacity building, training, technology and knowledge exchange.
During the discussion, GAKUB Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. G.K.M. Mostafizur Rahman said, “GAU wants to provide knowledge-based leadership not only as an institution of agricultural education and research but also in addressing the real-life challenges of agriculture and rural communities in the country. This collaboration with CIRDAP will create new opportunities to bring research, training and innovation to people at the grassroots level.”

CIRDAP Director General Dr. P. Chandra Shekhar said, “We are impressed by the progress of GAU in education, research and innovation.

F.A.M. Zakirul Haque, Head of the Human Resources and Administration Division of CIRDAP, was present at the event. Representing GAU were Treasurer Prof Dr. Md. Safiul Islam Afrad, deans of various faculties, directors, senior teachers and Registrar Md. Abdullah Mridha.

Following the discussion, Dr. P. Chandra Shekhar visited various field-level research activities and laboratories of GAU.

Once the MoU is formally signed, the two institutions are expected to expand opportunities for joint research, training and workshop programmes, student involvement in research and various projects, knowledge and experience sharing, and professional skills development.