Cooperation framework on education proposed

Deputy Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury yesterday proposed for a cooperation framework on education between Bangladesh and India as part of a greater goal of building a knowledge-based and democratic society.

A cooperation framework on education and exchange of knowledge can help expand the two country's cooperation in human resources development, he said at a webinar titled "Bangabandhu, his message for the Post Liberation Generation" organised by the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh.

"India is recognised for its higher education globally. It's conducting advanced research on space. Regrettably, we have not made much-needed investments in our tertiary education for the last two decades," the deputy minister said.

The high commission organised it on the occasion of a book gifting ceremony marking the Mujib Borsho. Several volumes of books on Liberation War, 1971 and Bangabandhu written by eminent writers and historians were gifted to each of 100 university and colleges across Bangladesh.

Mohibul Hasan said after the country's independence, Bangabandhu emphasised on knowledge-based society where all people will have education, technical and vocational training through which they can achieve socio-economic independence.

However, after the brutal killing of Bangabandhu and his family members in 1975, the anti-liberation forces wanted to turn the country into a militant state and eventually the nation lagged behind by many decades, the deputy minister said.

During the Awami League regimes, the country made huge strides in economic and social fronts and emerged as a surprise to the world. India has been a significant development partner in this march, he said.

"Today, we are growing fast. In this journey, we can exchange our knowledge and India can do the same with us," Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury said.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das said Bangabandhu is the founder of modern Bangladesh and one of the most influential and courageous leaders of the 20th century.

Reflecting back on Bangabandhu's rich legacy and her childhood memories of his electrifying voice to mobilse the people for independence, she said that Bangabandhu also laid the foundations for India-Bangladesh relations.

She expressed hope that through the books gifted, young students of Bangladesh would better appreciate and understand Bangabandhu and help realise his dream of 'Sonar Bangla'. India will always stand beside Bangladesh in its march towards development, she said.

On Mohidul Hasan Chowdhurys' proposal of having a cooperation framework on education, Riva Ganguly Das said she took note of it for further action.

Vice chancellors and principals of different universities and colleges who took part in the discussion highlighted Bangabandhu's qualities of boldness, love for Bangalees and unending trust on them.

They also expressed their gratitude to India for standing beside Bangladesh during the Liberation War.

Vice chancellors of select universities who participated in the discussion were Prof Satya Prasad Majumder (Buet); Prof Dr Mohammed Fayek Uzzaman (Khulna University); Prof Dr Mohammed Rafiqul Alam (Cuet); Farid Uddin Ahmed (Sust); Prof M Abdus Sobhan (RU); and Prof. Gautam Buddha Das (Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University).