(BSS) - President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today called for producing internationally qualified skilled and specialised engineers in the country to meet the needs of the textile sector and reduce dependence on foreign experts.

We must ensure appropriate employment opportunities for our students at home and abroad and it will provide us both the skilled workforce for the country and the foreign currency, he said

The President made the call when a seven-member delegation led by Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Zulhash Uddin paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban.

Lawmaker and BUTEX alumnus Engineer Sanjida Islam was present at the meeting, a press release from president`s press wing said.

The president called on taking initiatives tips to increase domestic cotton production to meet the raw material requirements of the country`s textile industry.

"Farmers need to be encouraged, ways to reduce production costs should be identified and coordination between the agriculture and textile sectors should be strengthened," he said.

He also stressed the need to intensify research into the potential for collecting fibres from various natural sources, including jute, pineapple leaves and banana plants, as well as producing synthetic yarn.

The delegation briefed the President on BUTEX`s role in the development of Bangladesh`s textile and readymade garment industries and the university`s academic and research activities.

The President assured the delegation of his cooperation as they sought his support in various issues, including infrastructure development at the university, establishment of modern laboratories, recruitment of additional manpower, creation of a separate BCS (Textile) cadre, expansion of the budget and allocation of land for establishing a second campus at capital`s
Purbachal.

Vice-Chancellor invited the President, also the Chancellor of the University, to preside over the university`s second convocation ceremony scheduled for next March.

The President accepted the invitation and assured the delegation of his presence at the event.

Textile Management and Business Studies faculty dean Professor Dr Md Ahashan Habib, Textile Engineering faculty dean Professor Shilpi Akter, Science and Engineering faculty dean Professor Dr Hasina Akter, Textile Chemical Engineering faculty dean Professor Dr Rasheda Begum Dina, Fashion Design and Apparel Engineering faculty dean Professor Dr Lamya Zahir were present at the meeting among others.

The President`s Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary were present at the meeting.