PM Hasina for optimum use of resources through research

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday stressed the need for conducting more research at every sector, particularly on the potential ones, for maximum use of resources to ensure overall development of the country.

“We must ensure optimum use of whatever resources we’ve through research. Research is essential for the development of any country,” she said.

The prime minister said this while distributing cheques among the post-graduate students and researchers under Bangabandhu Fellowship, National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship and donation for research.

The prime minister simultaneously stressed the need for bringing positive results through the researches saying, “It is not enough to conduct research only. But, we want to see the results of the researches for ensuring the standard of livelihoods of the people.”

Sheikh Hasina hoped that the recipients of fellowships and donations would carry out the research works more intensively. She suggested preparing a database of all the fellows to use their particular talent for the overall development of the country.

She also put emphasis on giving special importance on science and technology in carrying out researches.

The prime minister asked the researchers to find out the most potential sectors for research that will ensure the country’s development.

Urging everybody to inspire students to study sciences the prime minister said, “… we want to build them as science-oriented ones.”

The prime minister earlier joined a photo session with the recipients of the fellowships and donation for research.

Science and technology affairs minister Yeafesh Osman presided over the function while chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Science and Technology AFM Ruhal Haque spoke as the special guest on the occasion while senior secretary of the ministry Md Anwar Hossain gave welcome address.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has attached utmost importance to education, research and scientific and technological studies to achieve the particular goals for the country’s development.

Mentioning that a country cannot progress ignoring scientific research, she said that Bangladesh’s food autarky, production of strawberry and high yielding paddy was the results of research.

The prime minister said her government has been working to ensure nutrition security. “Research is necessary for this as well.”

“We’re third in producing fresh water fishes, and we’re going ahead in producing other food items. Our support for research and scientific studies has contributed to this,” she added.

Noting that a country cannot progress without its development in the area of science and technology, she said “After coming to the power in 1996, we allocated budgetary fund for the first time to give scholarship to post-graduate students for studies and research in various fields.”

The prime minister said that the government introduced the fellowship project with an objective to create qualified scientists, technologists and researchers in the country to build a science-friendly society and for the development of scientific research in the country following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Recognising the contributions of scientists and researchers for the country’s huge development carried out by her government, she requested them to concentrate more on education and research works.

Describing the children of Bangladesh as more meritorious in comparison to other countries of the globe, she said, “Our children are very much talented. They can turn impossible into possible if they get a little chance.”

She said her government has been working to create the scope for the Bangladeshi children with further improvement in the education system prioritising science and technology.

The prime minister once again advocated for stopping group separation from ninth grade.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has disbursed over Tk 1.55 billion among 519 students for MS, PhD, and post-doctoral studies from 2010-2011 to 2019-2020 fiscals under the Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship Trust.

The ministry of science and technology has introduced “National Science and Technology Fellowship” for M Phil, PhD, and post-doctoral studies among the students and researchers, she said.

From 2009-10 to 2019-20 fiscal years, the ministry has distributed Tk 826 million among 13,225 students while Tk 193.8 million was given to 3200 students during 2019-20 fiscal, she informed.

Besides the fellowship, research allowance is being distributed among the scientists and researchers for inspiring them to conduct researches on science and technology.

The prime minister said that as many as Tk 1.30 billion have been distributed under 3242 projects from 2009-10 to 2019-20 fiscal years. During 2019-20 fiscal a total of Tk 160 million was given under 561 projects as research assistance, she added.

Bangabandhu liberated the country to ensure better life of the masses, and our government has been working to build a “Sonar Bangla” free from hunger and poverty as envisioned by the Father of the Nation, the prime minister said.

“For materialising the dream of Bangabandhu, we are now implementing the perspective plan 2021-2041 and Delta Plan-2100, so that the new generation gets improved and prosperous life,” she added.

The prime minister greeted all ahead of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which will be celebrated throughout the “Mujib Borsho”.