Staff Correspondent: PatuakhaliUniversity of Science and Technology is the highest educational institution in South Bengal. On July 8, 2000, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the institute to educate the people of South Bengal in technology-based and modern education. At present, its students have made the institution known all over the world by signing their qualifications and skills at home and abroad. The campus of Patuakhali University of Science and Technology, situated in a beautiful shady environment of nature, is now always buzzing with the call of teachers and students. The last four years have seen radical changes at the university under the leadership of the current Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr Harun-ur-Rashid. From the curriculum to its management, use of digital technology, research, modern library, recruitment of manpower, development of infrastructure has undergone a revolutionary change. Recognition has even come to innovation.

The University of Science and Technology, about 12 km from Patuakhali district headquarters, was at one time a small agricultural college. At present the university has 255 teachers for about three and a half thousand students. The number of officers has increased to 158. Besides, there are 643 employees. In the last two decades, about 15,000 students from 9 faculties have graduated postgraduate and PhD degrees from this institution. Almost all of them are putting their signature of talent and skill in their work. Soon after Dr. Md. Harun Rashid, a senior professor in the Department of Agriculture and current Vice-Chancellor of the same university, took charge, he emphasized on research in line with the syllabus on various subjects and increased the allocation in this sector. The result of which has also come in handy. For the first time, the registration of PSTU Baichi-1 variety has been recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture. The new website of the university has been constructed and the automation system of finance department has been introduced. Internet speed has been upgraded from 1 Mbps to 700 Mbps and teachers and students have the opportunity to use it. Initiatives have been taken to create apps on various topics for mobile phones. The IP of the university library provides free access to e-publications and journals of Emerald and Jastor. The office management of the off-campus, located 60 km away from the main campus of the university, has been digitalized. A number of research projects are currently underway in Pobiprabi with funding from several international organizations like JICA. Due to its efficient management, Pobiprabi has risen from the sixth position to the second position among the universities of science and technology in Bangladesh in the survey of the international organization EdurDhank.

The university has also made great strides in terms of infrastructure. The administrative building has been modernized in the last four years. In front of the administrative building, a spectacular Bangabandhu fountain has been constructed around the bust of the beautiful Bangabandhu. Modern installations and security fences have been set up around Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina`s hand-planted bakul trees and the inaugural plaque of the university. Several state-of-the-art laboratories have been constructed and modern equipment has been added to it. The central mosque has been expanded from one floor to three floors, dormitories for teachers and officials and residential halls for new students. CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure the security of the entire university campus. A separate modern library building has been set up on the campus and a state-of-the-art computer lab has been constructed with the funding of the Ministry of Science and Technology. A state-of-the-art ambulance with two buses, two microbuses and three jeeps has been procured to resolve the transport crisis. A project worth Tk 451 crore has been taken up at a recent ECNEC meeting for further development of Patuakhali University of Science and Technology, which is the highest allocation ever in the history of Pabiprabir development. Also, under his foresight and strong leadership, Patuakhali University of Science and Technology has already received permission to set up a Marine Fisheries Research Institute in Kuakata.

Also, the deficit budget of around Rs 9 crore during the tenure of the previous VCs has already been adjusted. The arrears of salaries and allowances of teachers, officers and employees and the arrears of arrears for more than three years have already been paid. Corruption has been stopped in various meetings including regent board, academic council, travel allowance and various gratuity bills. In addition, the administrative discipline has returned to the recruitment of more than three hundred teachers, officers and employees. Even during the coronation period, his wife Corona was attacked while running the office and conducting administrative work in compliance with the restrictions given by the government. But he did not give up, recovered and re-engaged in the development activities of Pabiprabir

In this regard, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Harun Rashid said, "I have been trying for the last three and a half years to fulfill the responsibility entrusted to me by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to run this self-made institution with fairness and transparency." He sought the cooperation of all to expedite and streamline the development of the organization.