Engineer to be appointed PSC member: Khaleda

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday announced amid cheers that an engineer would be appointed a member of Public Service Commission (PSC). She was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural session of the 47th national convention of The Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) on the premises of IEB Chittagong Centre yesterday.

Khaleda Zia said the government would extend all cooperations for establishing the Engineering Staff College. Besides, necessary fund will be provided to help complete the remaining construction works of the IEB Head Quarters, she assured the gathering.

Underlining the role of engineers in nation-building activities, the prime minister urged them to invent indigenous technologies and use local materials in construction for sustainable development.

"This is the era of globalisation. We talk about open market economy and about the challenge of the 21st century. One has to remember that this new world order has opened up new vista of opportunity through tough competition. With our limited resources, we have to accept this challenge boldly", she said.

Referring to the adage 'survival of the fittest' Khaleda said "This is exactly the time with which the maxim goes more relevant than any other period in the past. And we would not survive unless we achieve the competence."

Presided over by IEB Chairman Quamrul Islam Siddique, the inaugural session was also addressed by M Shahjahan, president of IEB Chittagong Centre, Nurul Huda, honourary secretary of IEB and Prof Jose Medem Sanjuan, president of World Federation of Engineers Organisation (WFEO).

Later, the prime minister conferred 'P, Engg' (professional engineering) degrees to 83 engineers of 2nd and 3rd batch. She also handed over IEB Gold Medal-2002 to Engineer Rafiquddin Ahmad and Engineer SHK Yousufzai, Special Medal to Engineer M Ibrahim Khan and Best Centre Award to Dhaka Centre and Best Sub-Centre award to Gopalganj Centre for their outstanding contribution in different sectors.

She also handed over a medal, crest, certificate and IEB fellowship to WFEO President Prof Jose Medem Sanjuan.

About 2,500 delegates from home and abroad including Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are taking part in the convention.