PABNA, Sept 07 (V7N) — A cultural exchange programme bringing together Bangladeshi and Russian students was held at Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST) on Sunday, aiming to promote mutual understanding, cultural exchange and friendship between the two countries.

Titled “Bridge Builders: Challenges and Prospects of Nuclear Energy in Bangladesh and Russia”, the programme was jointly organised by Pabna University of Science and Technology and the Atomic Information Centre in Ishwardi.

The event was held at the university’s Convention Building on Sunday morning, where students took part in group discussions on energy, education, culture and research.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abul Hasnat Md Shamim attended the programme as the chief guest. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Treasurer Professor Dr Md Shamim Ahsan and Anastasia Bazhenova of the Human Resources Management Department of JSC Atomstroyexport’s Bangladesh branch were present as special guests.

Professor Dr Md Shamim Reza, Dean of the Faculty of Science, served as co-chair, while Professor Dr Md Anwar Hossain, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, chaired the programme.

The guests highlighted the longstanding relationship between Bangladesh and Russia and discussed the opportunities and challenges associated with nuclear energy.

They said the construction of the nuclear power plant in Bangladesh had created significant opportunities in the country’s power sector and could provide substantial benefits. At the same time, they noted that the development of nuclear energy had also brought certain challenges that needed to be addressed.

The speakers described nuclear energy as one of the most sustainable sources of energy and said it could play an important role in addressing major global energy challenges.

Administrative Meeting with Engineering and Technology Faculty

Meanwhile, a separate meeting between the university administration and teachers of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology was held at around 11:30am on Sunday.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abul Hasnat Md Shamim attended the meeting as the chief guest, while Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Nazrul Islam and Treasurer Professor Dr Md Shamim Ahsan were present as special guests. Professor Dr Md Anwar Hossain, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, chaired the meeting.

During the programme, newly appointed teachers were welcomed with flowers, while teachers who had obtained PhD degrees were presented with commemorative awards.

The chairpersons of the faculty’s seven departments presented various issues and challenges concerning their respective departments. After hearing their concerns and proposals, the university administration assured them that the issues would be addressed gradually.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abul Hasnat Md Shamim stressed the need to implement the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) curriculum and follow the academic calendar properly.

He also called for stronger links between industry and academia and urged departments to organise seminars or international conferences at least once or twice a year.

The Vice-Chancellor also emphasised the need to bring laboratories under air-conditioning facilities and encouraged teachers and staff to take greater responsibility for maintaining their own workplaces.

He further called for the faculty members to collectively clean the entire building at least once a month.

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