& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

PM at IIT convocation

31 projects on science, technology taken up
GAZIPUR, Sept 17: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government has put utmost Importance on science and technology to face the challenges of the 21st century, reports UNB.
Addressing the 11th convocation ceremony of the Islamic Institute of Technology (IIT) here in the morning, she referred to the 31 projects on science and technology taken up in fiscal 1996-97.
The projects include Ban gabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman planetarium. Nuclear Medicine Centre, Ruppur Atomic Project. Biogas Pilot Plant and Human Resources Development programme under the Bangladesh Science and Industrial Research Council.
Besides, she said, the government has decided to establish 12 science and technology universities in the country.
O1C Secretary General Aze-ddine Laraki, Islamic Deve-
lopment Bank (IDB) President Ahmed Mohammad Ali, IIT Director General Prof AM Patwari and Registrar Khaliiur Rahman also spoke at the function.
The Prime Minister said the IIT has been established to develop trained engineers, technologists and technicians for rapid technological and economic development of the Islamic Ummah.
She said the 19th Islamic Conference of Foreign Minis- i ters in Cairo asked the IIT to I upgrade and intensify its I-training programmes to meet the engineering and technological needs of the Muslim countries.
Hasina appreciated the introduction of a four-year programme in IIT on Bachelor of Science in Engineering this I year.
During a short span of time, IIT has established itself as a reputed international institution. she added.
The Prime Minister said the member states have nominated a large number of qualified students for the IIT. but due to limited seats it could only take a small number of eligible candidates.
She appealled to all the member states for contributing to the budget of the IIT.
The Institute has submitted a proposal to IDB for the development of facilities, which include a second academic building and a second dormitory.
On completion of the project. IIT will be able to accommodate at least 960 students and introduce new and rare technologies like information and com puter-aided design, she said.
The Prime Minister assured all government support for the development of the institute and requested the IDB president to see that this project gets early approval and is quickly implemented for the benefit of the Musli^Ko^(Sl?-'-'>
Secretary General of Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Dr Azeddine La-raki stressed the need for cooperation of the Muslims in the
filed of culture, science and knowledge.
He said cooperation and coordination in the fields of economy and development, culture and education, will no doubt be a key factor in promoting rapprochement and harmony among Islamic states and peoples.
IDB president Dr Ahmed Mohammad All said the Bank is providing US dollar 770 million to Bangladesh in the sectors of education, agriculture, health, communication, rural development and other development sectors.
The Bank has great Interest in the Islamic institute of Technology, he said, adding that it wifi continue its assistance and support for the improvement of the institute.
Earlier, the Prime Minister led the academic procession and distributed diploma certificates to the successful students.
Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad. Finance Minister Shah AMS Kibria. State Minister for Labour and Manpower MA Mannan, vice chancellors of different universities, and diplomats attended the function.