Published: 01:00 AM, 31 October 2019
A congenial atmosphere will be ensured to attract foreign students: BSFMSTU VC
'Digital Bangladesh' is an initiative adopted by the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which has an impact on every aspect of the society.
Bangamata Sheikh Fajilatunnesa Mujib Science & Technology University (BSFMSTU) set up in Jamalpur district in the country is a part of this initiative. Bangamata Sheikh Fajilatunnesa Mujib Science & Technology University Act-2017 was passed in parliament in 2018.
Premier Sheikh Hasina laid foundation stone of the BSFMSTU during her visit Mymensingh in the same year. President MD Abdul Hamid and Chancellor of the university appointed eminent educationist Professor Dr Syed Samsuddin Ahmed as the first and founding 'Vice Chancellor of BSFMSTU ' on November 14, 2018.
Prior to joining the BSFMSTU, Dr Syed Samsuddin worked as a senior professor of Department of Geology and Mining at Rajshahi University (RU).
Dr Syed Samsuddin has long experience in university administration. Apart from being the chairman of his department, Provost of Madar Bux Hall, he was a member of RU university senate and syndicate. His experience will help to implement this vision of BSFMSTU.
In first academic session of this university 2018-19, 136 students took admission, enrolling in four subjects under four faculties of the university.
The departments are as follows- Mathematics, under the Faculty of Science, management, under the faculty of Business Administration, Social Work, under the Faculty of Social Science and Computer Science and Engineering, under the Faculty of Engineering. Mahabub Alam recently met Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Samsuddin Ahmed on behalf of The Asian Age.
AA: Kindly tell about the current activities on the campus.
Prof Dr Samsuddin: Paperwork for our main campus has been begun. It is expected that very soon, our academic Building for students, residential hall, Shahid Minar, housing for teachers, officers & employees will be started.
AA: You are the founding VC of this University. Which works are you doing on a priority basis?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: We want to keep the educational activities going on along with the infrastructural development. At the beginning, registrar building, academic building and housing are important.
AA: What is the biggest challenge for the university right now in your at this moment?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: Our main challenge is to start academic activities on the permanent campus as soon as possible. Recruiting skilled manpower is also a challenge which we are trying to address.
AA: What are the progresses of the campus in one year?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: There are so many progresses. If we have a look about the academic calendar in last year, we were able to complete the first semester examination in due time. And first semester result is very good result. A student of the CSE Department has earned CGPA 4.00 out of 4.00.
AA: As a science and technology university, BSFMSTU has started its journey with four departments. In which department will you give priority?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: As our university is science and technology based one, we would like to give priority in subjects based on science and technology. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given us a concept of 'Digital Bangladesh' and we work to implement it.
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) has started this year. By 2021, many new departments will be added. But Bangladesh Studies, English and basic Computer will be compulsory courses for students of all departments.
AA: The academic activities of the university are now going on at Bangabandhu Ideal School and college in Jamalpur Sadar. When do you expect to shift to the main campus in Melandah Upazila at Jamalpur?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: See, we have already formulated our master plan and DPP of university's has been completed. Now we are waiting for ECNEC meeting to pass our project file. We hope it well be very soon.
AA: The main purpose of university is to generate knowledge. Which areas will get more focus for research?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: It will be a hundred percent research based university. Given priority on Science and technology, agriculture and others subjects will be researched here.
AA: Do you have any plan to make monument or sculpture of famed personalities at the university?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: Of course, The University will carry on the history of the War of Liberation assimilating the tradition. The university has been set up honoring Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa, the wife of Father of the Nation Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In near future, a Bangabandhu monument and sculptures of other famous person sculptures will be erected on the campus. A sculpture of the personality in which name the university has been set up will be constructed at the main gate.
AA: We know that a good number of foreign students have got themselves admitted in many Bangladeshi Universities. What is your initiative have any special thoughts about foreign students that will make them interested in studying at this university?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: You are right. In order to attract foreign students, a good academic atmosphere will be ensured. There will be a foreign quota. Moreover, guest teachers will be brought from outside the country.
AA: Will this year's admission test have the same number distribution as before? What is about the opportunity of second time exam?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: Good question, by the way, the admission test will be taken in MCQ method. This year admission test will be held at Govt Mohammadpur Model School and College and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka. I think it will be very good for students.
AA: What is about the opportunity of second time exam? Will the MCQ and written test be held together?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: Yes. This year, for the first time, 30 students will be admitted in the EEE. Details on the admission test can be found on the website
AA: What is your advice for fresh students?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: I congratulate all students of the university. I advise them to study their textbooks.
AA: Thanks for giving your valuable time.
Prof Dr Samsuddin: Thank you too.
The Interviewer is a journalist
AA: Kindly tell about the current activities on the campus.
Prof Dr Samsuddin: Paperwork for our main campus has been begun. It is expected that very soon, our academic Building for students, residential hall, Shahid Minar, housing for teachers, officers & employees will be started.
AA: You are the founding VC of this University. Which works are you doing on a priority basis?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: We want to keep the educational activities going on along with the infrastructural development. At the beginning, registrar building, academic building and housing are important.
AA: What is the biggest challenge for the university right now in your at this moment?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: Our main challenge is to start academic activities on the permanent campus as soon as possible. Recruiting skilled manpower is also a challenge which we are trying to address.
AA: What are the progresses of the campus in one year?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: There are so many progresses. If we have a look about the academic calendar in last year, we were able to complete the first semester examination in due time. And first semester result is very good result. A student of the CSE Department has earned CGPA 4.00 out of 4.00.
AA: As a science and technology university, BSFMSTU has started its journey with four departments. In which department will you give priority?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: As our university is science and technology based one, we would like to give priority in subjects based on science and technology. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given us a concept of 'Digital Bangladesh' and we work to implement it.
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) has started this year. By 2021, many new departments will be added. But Bangladesh Studies, English and basic Computer will be compulsory courses for students of all departments.
AA: The academic activities of the university are now going on at Bangabandhu Ideal School and college in Jamalpur Sadar. When do you expect to shift to the main campus in Melandah Upazila at Jamalpur?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: See, we have already formulated our master plan and DPP of university's has been completed. Now we are waiting for ECNEC meeting to pass our project file. We hope it well be very soon.
AA: The main purpose of university is to generate knowledge. Which areas will get more focus for research?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: It will be a hundred percent research based university. Given priority on Science and technology, agriculture and others subjects will be researched here.
AA: Do you have any plan to make monument or sculpture of famed personalities at the university?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: Of course, The University will carry on the history of the War of Liberation assimilating the tradition. The university has been set up honoring Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa, the wife of Father of the Nation Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In near future, a Bangabandhu monument and sculptures of other famous person sculptures will be erected on the campus. A sculpture of the personality in which name the university has been set up will be constructed at the main gate.
AA: We know that a good number of foreign students have got themselves admitted in many Bangladeshi Universities. What is your initiative have any special thoughts about foreign students that will make them interested in studying at this university?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: You are right. In order to attract foreign students, a good academic atmosphere will be ensured. There will be a foreign quota. Moreover, guest teachers will be brought from outside the country.
AA: Will this year's admission test have the same number distribution as before? What is about the opportunity of second time exam?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: Good question, by the way, the admission test will be taken in MCQ method. This year admission test will be held at Govt Mohammadpur Model School and College and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka. I think it will be very good for students.
AA: What is about the opportunity of second time exam? Will the MCQ and written test be held together?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: Yes. This year, for the first time, 30 students will be admitted in the EEE. Details on the admission test can be found on the website
AA: What is your advice for fresh students?
Prof Dr Samsuddin: I congratulate all students of the university. I advise them to study their textbooks.
AA: Thanks for giving your valuable time.
Prof Dr Samsuddin: Thank you too.
The Interviewer is a journalist
