JICA delegation calls on DU VC

A six-member delegation led by Nishi Rizuki, representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), called on Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam at the VC’s meeting room on the university campus on Tuesday.

The delegation included Prof Emeritus of Kumamoto University Prof Tsuyoshi Usagawa, Senior Advisor of the Human Development Department at JICA Prof Usagawa Tsuyoshi, and others.

From Dhaka University, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Prof Md. Selim Reza, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Prof Saifuddin Md Tareeq, Director of the Centre for Advanced Research in Sciences (CARS) Prof Aminul Islam Talukder, Chairman of the Department of Pharmacy Prof Jakir Ahmed Chowdhury, Chairman of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Prof Shaila Kabir, Chairman of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Prof Shimul Halder, Chairman of the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering Prof Shugata Ahmed, and Director of the Public Relations Office Md. Rafiqul Islam were present on the occasion.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the implementation of a project titled “Potential Yen Loan Project to Support Higher Education in Bangladesh,” funded by JICA. Members of the delegation expressed their willingness to provide support and cooperation in establishing an ecosystem and building capacity at DU to promote higher education and research.

They also voiced their eagerness to support the development of research skills, enhance the quality of higher education, and strengthen collaboration between academia and industry. The delegation stressed the need to undertake more joint collaborative academic and research programmes between Dhaka University and various Japanese universities, as well as to strengthen networks among regional and local institutions. The JICA team leader presented a draft proposal for the project during the session.

Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam expressed his gratitude to the JICA delegation for initiating the project and affirmed DU’s commitment to working alongside JICA to bolster academic and research activities. Noting the longstanding friendly ties between Bangladesh and Japan, the Vice-Chancellor described Japan as one of the country's largest development partners.

Prof Obaidul Islam highlighted the need for increased support from Japan to enhance lab-based education in fields such as artificial intelligence, third languages, biological sciences, software engineering, pharmacy, and environmental sciences. He sought cooperation from JICA to launch ‘Lab to Lab’ collaboration programmes between Dhaka University and Japanese universities to carry out research effectively, alongside financial support to maintain laboratory machinery across DU, including at CARS.