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Eminent academics and
economists at a discussion yesterday said the private sector should
contribute more to the development of education and research to help
establish a knowledge-based nation.
In the past,
all look for public money to establish research centres while the businesses
also stayed back from such ventures, but now is the time for businessmen to
come forward for nationbuilding task by financing researches, they added.
At the discussion at DU Senate Bhaban, Managing Director of Dutch-Bangla
Bank Limited (DBBL) Yeasin Ali handed over a Letter of Commitment for
donation of Tk 9.73 crore to DU Vice-Chancellor Prof SMA Faiz for
constructing 'Dutch-Bangla Bank Centre for Advanced Research in Arts and
Social Sciences'.
Prof Faiz said DBBL has become an integral part of Dhaka University by
making a huge contribution to the construction of the research centre.
"This is part of history, he added. The VC said the 11 storey research
centre being constructed in between Atomic Energy Commission and Teachers
Students Centre will have a research cell and auditorium.
There will also be a museum that will preserve the history of Dhaka
University as well, he said.
Prof Faiz said this will surely be a centre of excellence for national and
international intellectuals, researchers and academics.
DBBL MD Yeasin Ali said the bank, keeping in mind that businesses have
social responsibility, started such projects since its inception in
mid-'90s.
He said DBBL Foundation provides scholarships worth about Tk 4 crore a year
to talented and poor students, 80 percent of whom hail from the villages.
Of the total scholarships, 50 percent goes to female students, he noted.
The bank has also healthcare services for poor people and responded to the
needs of the victims of natural calamities, Yeasin Ali said, adding, "We
want to contribute to researches in social and pure sciences, because it has
no alternatives to our survival."
Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud, a noted economist, said there has been a lacking in
the finance planning on education, but Dutch-Bangla Bank has opened a newera
in the country.
Private bodies are playing significant role for the development of many
famous universities like Harvard and Yale, he said, adding, "The DBBL's
donation for DU is a milestone in the history of Bangladesh."
Dr Wahiduddin said it is now the responsibility of the government and other
concerned to make arrangements for better education planning and encourage
private sector to contribute to the development of research in the country.
Prof Serajul Islam
Chowdhury said expansion of education and its development require
patronisation.
"The universities should not be made only institutes of education, but also
of research centre as well," he said laying stress on quality publications
in the universities.
DU Pro-VC Dr
AFM Yusuf Haider said in the recent times the university has been lacking
good researches due to absence of a centre.
With the construction of 'Dutch-Bangla Bank Centre for Advanced Research in
Arts and Social Sciences, the university will surely have a vibrant
environment for research activities, he noted.
DU Teachers' Association President Prof Sadrul Amin, Social Science Faculty
Dean Prof Harun-or-Rashid, DU Treasurer Prof Syed Abul Kalam Azad, and
former president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers Commerce and Industry
Mir Nasir Hossain also spoke at the discussion moderated by research centre
Director Prof Ahmed Kamal. |
