Agri. varsity in the city
This refers to Prof. SAM's letter ( 4/7/08 ) on the above subject. Disapproving the existence of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) inside the capital city, Dhaka, Prof. SAM has suggested to correct the mistake of setting up SAU at the present location. Well, for his information I would like to say that it took nearly 20 years for the charismatic leader, Sher-e- Bangla A K Fazlul Haq, to make this costly mistake of establishing the SAU, the then Bengal Agricultural Institute in the heart of Dhaka. It was in 1938 that Sher-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Haq,
being the Chief Minister of Bengal, succeeded in convincing the then British Govt. to set up this historical agricultural institution (now SAU) in Dhaka so that students from remotest parts of Bengal (particularly East Bengal) could come here to get advanced and modern education in the field of agricultural science. Since then this institution has been performing a pioneering role in the promotion of agricultural education, research and extension. Isn't it logical to have an agricultural varsity in the capital city of the agro-based Bangladesh where students from different parts of Bangladesh come to pursue higher agricultural education?
Of course, with acquiring of land by the govt. at present, the SAU is left with nearly 85 acres of land out of its 300 acres acquired by the then British govt. In order to make farm-based education and research run smoothly, the govt. has already created provision in the latest development project for setting up farms and new faculties like fisheries and animal science outside the Dhaka campus through acquisition of land near Dhaka.
Prof. SAM who didn't mention the name of the university/college he is serving also pleaded for SAU's merger with Bangabandhu Agricultural University. The question is whether it is possible to merge one university with another. Would Prof. SAM appreciate merging his college/university with another one?
Prof. SAM has only mentioned about the existence of three public universities situated within the same agro-ecological zone. But there is at least one private agricultural university namely, International University of Business Agriculture & Technology (IUBAT), located in the same zone (Uttara). As far as I know, some reputed private universities in the city are contemplating opening of agriculture school/faculty for offering up-to-date agricultural education with a view to ensuring food security and development of the country.
So, instead of asking to shift the university to some other place, everyone should suggest as to how we can improve our course curriculum.
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