Dhaka University to introduce Portuguese language course
University of Dhaka and Camões, Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua of Portugal signed a cooperation agreement to promote and dissemination of Portuguese language and culture in Bangladesh.
Under the signed protocol Institute of Modern Language of University of Dhaka and Camoes Institute will collaborate introducing Portuguese language courses and studies in Dhaka University, awarding scholarships to Portuguese language teachers and students, in the promotion of cultural and scientific activities.
At a simple ceremony held simultaneously at the two institutions, Treasurer of Dhaka University, Prof Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed in Dhaka and President of the Governing Board of Camões, IP, Ambassador João Ribeiro de Almeida in Lisbon virtually signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions, on yesterday (August 16, 2022).
On the Lisbon side of the ceremony, Bangladesh Ambassador to Portugal Tarik Ahsan, Head of Department of Programming, Training and Certification of Camões Institute Rui Vicente de Azevedo and First Secretary of Bangladesh Embassy Abdullah Al Razi were also present.
On the Dhaka side, Director of Institute of Modern Language (IML) Prof Dr ABM Razaul Karim Faquire and Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Ashiq Billah attended.
President of the Governing Board of Camões, João Ribeiro de Almeida, in his welcome, remarks, expressed his pleasure at the successful completion of the signing ceremony. He hoped that, both the institutions would work closely for the further development and dissemination of Portuguese language and culture in Bangladesh.
Mentioning this "only a beginning", he said that his institution is ready to explore areas of cooperation under this framework.
DU Treasurer Prof Dr Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed expressed his satisfaction at signing of this cooperation agreement with the leading institution for Portuguese language studies.
Mentioning, Institute of Modern Language at present runs 14 different language courses, he hoped that, by signing this protocol agreement, Portuguese language course will be introduced soon at IML in cooperation of the Camoes Institute.
Both the institution will be benefited with the proper implementation of the protocol, he opined.
Ambassador Tarik Ahsan, in his remarks, congratulated both University of Dhaka and Camões, Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua of Portugal on this momentous decision to tie up for a partnership.
Referring to the historic linkage between the countries, Ambassador remarked that Language has been an important legacy between people of Bangladesh and Portugal since late 16 centuries.
He opined that both the countries should leverage this area to advance the bilateral relationship to a new height. He expressed his happiness for playing a part in facilitating conclusion of this agreement and assured that the Embassy would be ready to extend cooperation in future also in the implementation of the agreement.
Md Rasel Ahammed is the writer is an expatriate journalist living in Portugal.