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A new horizon in higher edn for CHT people
CHITTAGONG, July 9. A new horizon has been opened in the higher education of the inhabitants of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) following the establishment of a University of Science and Technology (USTC) at Rangamati with allocation of around Taka 20 crore, reports BSS.
The university covering an area of 50 acres of land at Keip-papara of Jhagrabill, is on the other side of Rangamati lake. The setting up of the university Is a big step for imparting higher education, especially on science and technology to the students of CHT as well as greater Chittagong
Second of this type of public university in Chittagong divi-
sion. Il Is being set up under five year plan (1997-2002) and as part of the first phase project for establishment of six out of 12 USTCs in greater districts of the country where there is no university, said Prof Mohammad Sekandar Khan, project director of USTC. Rangamati.
The selection of site for the university has been approved by the government in May last. An office has been set up on Ra-Jbari road and land acquisition is fast progressing. Prof Khan said
The rugged topography stretches around 13.300 square km landscape of several hundred hills and valleys of the three hill districts: Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari
and inhabited by about 11.70 lakh people.
The literacy rate in Rangamati is 75 per cent followed by 45 in Khagrachhari and 25 in Bandarban.
The university will open a new avenue for the Inhabitants of CHT to pursue higher studies befitting the need of the region. Prof Khan said.
Initially, the curriculum of the six universities has been designed to offer five schools of studies, physical science, life science, agriculture and mineral, applied and social science, (he project director said, however. in the case of Rangamati USTC. "we are mulling over to Incorporate the subjects like information technology, ethnic
studies, forestry and water resources into the syllabus attaching utmost importance to endowment of vast natural, mineral, cultural and anthropological traits of the region
Referring to the beginning of the academic year Prof Khan said it depends on enactment of the University Act by the parliament. which will also specify whether the university will impart studies on graduation or post graduation level.
He. however, emphatically said that at the Initial stage, classes may begin by the year 2000 in hired houses in the town provided the act is passed in the ongoing session of the parliament.
The present government
which has successfully completed the historic peace treaty on December 2. 1997 in order to establish perpetual peace and social stability In the troubled region has taken up extensive measures for expansion of education. Infrastructure development. income generating project. employment opportunity, promotion of health, development oi communication network and rehabilitation of landless by upland settlement of the people who live amidst abject poverty.
As part of five year plan, the government has allocated Taka 90 crore for establishment of six USTCs In the country.
In the first phase, six uni-
versities being established from July 1997 to June 2002 are Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujlb USTC, Gopalganj, Haji Danesh USTC. Dinajpur, Montana Bhasani USTC. Tangail, Rangpur USTC and Patuakhali USTC In addition to USTC. Rangamati. Prof Mejbahuddln Ahmed, member of University Grants Commission (UGC) and project director of the establishment of the 12 USTC projects told.
The next six USTCs will be established at Pabna. Bogra, Comilla, Barlsal, Jessore and Noakhali. Prof Ahmed said.
The establishment of USTC in Rangamati Is the hallmark of present government's sincere gesture toward CHT. 4