BanglaPress Desk: The government has taken initiatives to accelerate the construction of the second campus of Jagannath University (JnU) and ensure residential facilities for its students. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the government would take the necessary steps in this regard as quickly as possible.
He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting held on Monday (November 2) to mark the 21st founding anniversary of Jagannath University.
The Home Minister noted that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia played a significant role in the establishment of Jagannath University. She announced the establishment of the university in 1995, and the demand was revisited during the tenure of the government led by her in 2001.
Following this, Jagannath College was upgraded to a full-fledged university through the passage of an act in the National Parliament.
He observed that the continuity of public welfare initiatives is often disrupted by shifts in the political landscape. However, for the greater interest of the nation, the positive work initiated by previous administrations should be sustained. The interests of Bangladesh, its people, and the nation must always be the top priority.
Emphasizing the importance of education and research, Salahuddin Ahmed stated that alongside celebrating the founding anniversary, the university must focus on academic development, research, and infrastructure. Jagannath University is now 21 years young; he expressed hope that the university’s 25th anniversary would be celebrated with even greater grandeur.
He remarked that education serves as the cornerstone for the development and prosperity of any nation. Building an advanced nation requires not only improving the quality of education but also fostering research, the pursuit of knowledge, and the establishment of well-resourced libraries.
A university should not merely be an institution for obtaining degrees or preparing students for employment; rather, it should be a hub for research, the cultivation of free thought, innovative ideas, and the creation of new knowledge. Students must be nurtured in such a way that they can contribute to the nation’s progress through their own knowledge and intellect.
Stressing the need for qualitative changes in the education system, he added that a nation cannot achieve advancement solely through high GPA scores or academic certificates. The education system must be aligned with the demands of the modern world. It is essential to simultaneously promote employment-oriented, skill-based, and technical education. Students should be encouraged to pursue education and training that align with their individual aptitudes, interests, and the demands of the job market.
Highlighting the challenges posed by modern technology, the Home Minister noted that the development of artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and technology-driven industries is reshaping the global economy. Given this reality, Bangladesh’s education system must also be modernized. The younger generation must be equipped with proficiency in technology, innovation, research, and knowledge-based education. To remain competitive globally, universities must play an effective role in developing a skilled workforce by considering the future requirements of industries and the labor market.
He further emphasized that to transform the nation’s large population into a valuable human resource, it is necessary to foster skills and technical knowledge alongside formal education. Through research and innovation, new employment opportunities must be created, and a workforce capable of competing on an international scale must be developed. A knowledge-based and prosperous Bangladesh can be built through the collective efforts of university faculty, researchers, and students.
Concluding his remarks, the Home Minister underscored the importance of fostering unity across political, social, and educational spheres to sustain the country’s development and progress. He urged faculty, students, and staff to work together to advance their universities. Furthermore, he called upon everyone to contribute—through patriotism, a sense of responsibility, and unified effort—toward building a developed and prosperous future for Bangladesh over the next 50 to 100 years.
The event was presided over by Professor Dr. Md. Rais Uddin, Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University. Special guests in attendance included Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, a Whip of the National Parliament and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Shariatpur-3 constituency; Anisur Rahman Talukdar Khokon, MP for the Madaripur-3 constituency; Mohammad Kamal Hossain, MP for the Dhaka-5 constituency; and the university’s Treasurer, Professor Dr. Sabina Sharmin, among other distinguished guests.
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