Rafiqul Alam Khan:
Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences of Dhaka University and Yunnan University of China have reached into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on research, establishing exchange programs and organizing international seminars. The MOU is likely to be signed on September 28, 2018. In a press conference held at the premise of Dean of Earth and Environmental Sciences of DU, Professor Dr. Maksud Kamal announced the clauses of MOU in front of Chinese delegation, journalists from renowned print and electronic media, faculty members and students of DU.
The Chinese delegation from Yunnan University included four high profile deans and directors among other members. In his talk, Dr. Kamal remarked, “Bangladesh is China’s southern neighbor. The Chinese government has taken several initiatives to increase the collaboration of local higher educational institutions with that of foreign universities. On the other hand, Bangladesh is an important partner of China led One Belt One Road initiative. Sensing the strategic vision of both friendly countries, we at Dhaka University- the premier university of Bangladesh figured out the possible means of cooperation which can deliver fruitful results in the long run. Thus, earlier this year we had visited the Yunnan University. The MOU will enable us to send excellent students, researchers and faculty members on exchange visits to China. The same will be applied for our Chinese counterparts too.”
“Our collaborative efforts are centered on Environmental and Ecological Issues, Disaster Management and Effective River Administration. We aim to conduct joint research on trans-boundary Rivers, salinity, climate change and natural hazards” Professor Kamal added.
The head of the Chinese delegation, Dr. Jinming HU in his speech said, “Yunnan University is a member of ‘Project 211’- an ambitious plan by the Chinese government to transform local universities into the world class institutes of excellence. In future, through our collaboration with Dhaka University we are preparing to establish ‘China-Bangladesh Research Center’. The findings from our collaborative research will be instrumental for the development of our countries. Furthermore, these initiatives will strengthen the relationship between the countries.”