WAVE Foundation, SAU sign MoU to advance agroecology education

WAVE Foundation and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop action-oriented curricula for agroecology courses under the Green Evolution Project.

The partnership aims to strengthen agroecology education and research while creating practical learning opportunities for postgraduate students.

The MoU was signed on Thursday at a ceremony held at the administrative building of SAU. SAU Registrar Md Nazrul Islam signed the agreement on behalf of the university, while WAVE Foundation Executive Director Mohsin Ali signed for the organisation.

Speaking at the event, SAU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Abdul Latif expressed concern over food adulteration in Bangladesh, saying adulterated food and harmful substances were contributing to the rise of serious diseases and damaging the environment.

In this context, agroecology and environmentally friendly farming could offer an effective solution, he said.

“Nature and the environment existed before human beings. Yet, we are destroying that environment to produce our food. We must remember that if the environment is harmed, we will also suffer,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration between universities and development organisations, the vice-chancellor said the MoU would help promote agroecology at the institutional level and expand opportunities for joint research, knowledge exchange and practical learning.

Mohsin Ali said WAVE Foundation was implementing around 40 projects across the country with support from various development partners, with 10 to 12 of them directly or indirectly related to agroecology or environmentally friendly farming.

“Through our field-level agroecological practices, we have developed a significant body of evidence and practical experience. University students will be able to use these resources in their research, which will contribute to the development of the country’s agricultural sector,” he said.

The MoU would also create an institutional foundation for introducing agroecology-related courses in agricultural education, he added.

During the ceremony, WAVE Foundation Assistant Director Nirmal Das and Welthungerhilfe Head of Project–Food Systems Faisal Ahmed gave an overview of the Green Evolution Project and outlined the objectives of the MoU.

They said the action-oriented curricula would connect academic learning with field-level agroecological practices, research and practical experience.

The partnership will facilitate joint research, student internships, thesis work, field practicums, training and knowledge-sharing initiatives related to agroecology.

It will also provide postgraduate students with opportunities to gain practical knowledge and field experience alongside their academic studies. WAVE Foundation will support field-level learning by connecting students and researchers with agroecology initiatives under the Green Evolution Project.

Among others, SAU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Belal Hossain, Treasurer Prof Md Abul Bashar, Dean of Postgraduate Studies Prof Dr H Qudrat-Ul-Haque, Chairman of ABOT Prof Md Mominul Haque, Prof Dr FM Aminuzzaman, Director Prof Dr Md Ashabul Hoque, and Welthungerhilfe Head of Project–Food Systems Faisal Ahmed attended the ceremony.

Representatives from the university, development organisations and the media were also present.