Develop human resources in IT and biotech

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia gives away certificates among the students of Islamic University of Technology at its 18th convocation in Gazipur yesterday. PHOTO: PID

"The more the country is advanced in the discipline of engineering and technology, the more it is developed," she said reminding that many countries changed their fortune by successful implementation of this knowledge.

Khaleda pointed out that it is possible to attain desired development, multiply many times the production of crops and cure diseases by effective use of these technologies.

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"We not only can change the fate of the Islamic Ummah but can also establish a strong foundation in associating ourselves in the mainstream of world class science and technology through initiating such steps," she said.

The prime minister was addressing the 18th Convocation of the Islamic University of Technology (IUT), an institution of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), in Gazipur.

Vice Chancellor of IUT Dr M Fazli Ilahi and Registrar Muhammad Ahsan Habib also spoke. Assistant Secretary General of OIC Ambassador Thierno Nabika Diallo read out a written speech of the OIC Secretary General and Chancellor of the IUT, Dr Abdelouahed Belkeziz, on the occasion.

Education Minister M Osman Faruk and State Minister for Labour and Employment Amanullah Aman were also present.

A total of 194 students from different countries, including Bangladesh, were awarded diploma, bachelor's and master's degrees in various disciplines at the convocation.

The prime minister also handed over gold medals and certificates of appreciation to meritorious students who topped the list in their respective classes.

The prime minister said she would like to see IUT as the best centre of education in the field of engineering and technology and make meaningful contribution in creating skilled manpower to face the challenges of the 21st century.

She expressed her optimism that IUT would be transformed into a world class institution of knowledge science, engineering and technology and the students from this institution will make immense contribution to development of their respective countries.

Recalling the golden age of Islamic Civilisation when many Muslim scholars enriched the discipline of medicine, chemistry, mathematics, physics, astronomy and other branches of science, Khaleda said the countries of the Islamic Ummah have to work unitedly to bring back those glorious traditions.