Cabinet approves two specialised universities
The cabinet yesterday gave final approval to the drafts of two separate laws, for setting up a science and technology university in Chandpur and an agriculture university in Habiganj.
The decision was taken at a regular weekly meeting, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at the Prime Minister’s Office.
“The drafts of ‘Chandpur Science and Technology University Act, 2019’ and ‘The Habiganj Agriculture University Act, 2019’ were given approval at the meeting,” Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam said while briefing media at the secretariat.
He said the meeting also approved on principle the draft of “Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board Act, 2019”.
The universities would be like any other university, said Anwarul, adding that when the two universities open, the number of public universities in the country will be 48.
The president will be the Chancellor of the universities, and respective syndicates will be formed. Vice-chancellor, pro vice-chancellor and treasurer for the universities will be appointed in accordance with the laws.
Regarding the draft “Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board Act, 2019”, the cabinet secretary said, ”The cabinet approved the draft law, making some amendments to the existing Madrasa Education Ordinance, 1978, to make it time-befitting in line with the Supreme Court order that declared all the military-period laws illegal.”
Anwarul Islam said the cabinet also approved a proposal for setting up an office of the Consulate General in Florida in USA, in addition to the existing two consulate offices in New York and the embassy in Washington.
He said the new consulate office will be set up considering the diplomatic interest of the country and Bangladesh’s strong partnership with the USA.
Besides, the consulate will be very important to provide services to over 40,000 expatriate Bangladeshis living in Florida, he added.
The cabinet secretary added the office of the consulate general will play a vital role in strengthening diplomatic ties of Bangladesh with the USA and other countries of the world, as most countries have consulate offices there.
The cabinet was also apprised of the premier’s visit to Dubai from November 16-19 to join the Dubai Air Show-2019. It also greeted the PM Sheikh Hasina for her reelection as the president of Awami League and being ranked 29th in Forbes’ list of the “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women”. It also adopted obituary references at the deaths of Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder of the world’s largest non-government development organisation Brac; former chief justice Mahmudul Amin Choudhury; and PM’s military secretary Maj Gen Mia Mohammad Zainul Abedin.