UGC asked to assess feasibility of agricultural university in Pabna

The Ministry of Education has directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to assess the feasibility of establishing a full-fledged public agricultural university in Pabna.

The commission has been asked to examine whether Atgharia Agricultural College in the district can be converted into an agricultural university and submit a report outlining its views on the relevant legal and administrative issues.

A letter in this regard was sent by the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the ministry on 30 September. The initiative was taken following instructions from the coordination cell for implementing lawmakers’ commitments and proposed programmes, as well as the Prime Minister’s Office, according to relevant sources.

Pabna-5 MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas had pledged to establish an agricultural university in the district before the parliamentary election. After being elected, he continued to communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Education and other relevant offices, exchanging official letters on the issue. The latest feasibility study initiative has been taken as part of these efforts.

Shimul said the people of Pabna had long been dreaming of a modern agricultural university. He had made a commitment to this effect during the election and had been working continuously with the prime minister and the Ministry of Education to fulfil it.

He described the ministry’s directive as a major step towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Pabna.

He said he would make every effort to expedite the implementation of the initiative to establish the agricultural university.

Agriculturist Zafar Sadek said efforts to establish an agricultural university in Pabna had been underway since 1980, but no visible progress had been made over the years. 

He described the latest development as welcome news for the agriculture-based district.

Zafar said the establishment of the university would not only expand opportunities for higher education but also have a positive impact on the region’s agricultural economy. 

It would also create greater opportunities for agricultural research, the adoption of modern technologies and the development of skilled agricultural professionals, he added.

The agriculturist said the UGC should complete the feasibility study quickly to pave the way for progress on land acquisition and the enactment of the necessary law.

However, the directive to conduct a feasibility study does not constitute final approval to establish the university. Progress on the initiative will depend on the UGC’s report and subsequent legal and administrative procedures.

Source: BSS