The dream of establishing a full-fledged public agricultural university in Pabna has taken another step forward toward reality. Following the continuous efforts of Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Member of Parliament for the Pabna-5 constituency, the Ministry of Education has directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh to verify the feasibility of setting up an agricultural university in the district.
A letter in this regard was sent on September 30 from the Public University Branch of the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education. The letter asked for a report with specific opinions after verifying the necessary legal and administrative feasibility to transform Atgharia Agricultural College in Pabna district into a full-fledged agricultural university.
According to sources in the Ministry of Education and related departments, this initiative was taken following directions from the Prime Minister's Office and the coordination cell for implementing promises and expected programs of MPs. The current MP for Pabna-5, Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, pledged during the election campaign to establish an agricultural university in Pabna. Since being elected, he maintained regular communication and official correspondence with the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Education, and other relevant offices. Consequently, the Ministry of Education has now taken the initiative to conduct an institutional feasibility study.
Pabna is an agriculture-dominant district, producing large quantities of onions, rice, wheat, vegetables, pulses, and dairy products. Local residents believe that establishing a full-fledged agricultural university here will open new horizons for agricultural research, the expansion of modern technology, and the development of skilled agriculturalists in the northern region.
Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, MP for Pabna-5, stated, "The people of Pabna have long dreamed of a modern agricultural university. I gave my word to the general public during the elections. Working continuously with the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Education to fulfill that promise, this directive from the ministry marks the first major victory for the people of Pabna. I will continue to make every effort for its rapid implementation."
Commenting on the development, Agriculturist Zafar Sadek, the inventor of two-story agricultural management, said that efforts to establish an agricultural university in Pabna date back to 1980, though little progress was made later. He noted that the recent news is a major positive step for an agriculture-based district like Pabna, adding that the university will boost both education and the overall agricultural economy. He urged the UGC to complete the feasibility report quickly so land acquisition and legislation can be expedited.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by M. S. Rahman, Pabna Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
