Rangpur:A seminar titled "Bridging Academia and Industry for Sustainable Development Research Excellence, Innovation, and Industrialization" was held at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) on Thursday afternoon. The event was organized by the university's Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at the administrative building.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, University Grants Commission (UGC) member Professor Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun attended the seminar as the chief guest, with BRUR Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md Showkat Ali presiding over the proceedings. In his speech, Abdullah-Al-Mamun emphasized the importance of aligning university education with industrial needs to develop skilled graduates and create employment opportunities.
He also mentioned that the UGC plans to introduce three specialized courses—ICT and AI, Employability Skills, and Ethics and Professionalism—from next January to better prepare students for the job market.
Presiding over the seminar, the vice-chancellor highlighted the necessity of effective engagement with industry, alongside providing quality education and research, to build a modern and sustainable university.
The seminar also featured speeches from Vice-Chancellor of Kurigram Agricultural University Professor Dr. Muhammad Rashedul Islam, Vice-Chancellor of Islamic Arabic University Professor Dr. Mohammad Abu Zafar Khan, and BRUR IQAC Director Professor Dr. Md Tajul Islam.
As part of the event, BRUR signed memorandums of understanding with seven organizations to enhance cooperation in education, research, innovation, and skills development. The organizations include Teesta University, Rangpur Community Medical College, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Karupannya Rangpur Limited, Odoo Middle East DMCC Limited, Jobletics Bangladesh, and the Centre for Alternatives, Dhaka.