A two-day planning student convention organized for the first time in Bangladesh by the joint initiative of CUET Urban and Regional Planning (URP) Department and Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) has started. Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Alam was present as the chief guest and leading the convention's rally.
The opening ceremony of the two-day long Planning Student Convention-2922 organized in the central auditorium of the university was completed on Thursday morning.
CUET Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Alam said in the event, "There is no alternative to sustainable development planning in a densely populated country like Bangladesh." Without sustainable and innovative planning, no development will be successful.
In the current reality, that development must also be environmentally friendly. Bangladesh is now moving from Digital Bangladesh to Smart Bangladesh. Our universities are working towards the implementation of the Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision "Village will be a city". Our young planners need to focus on research and innovation.
He said, 'The concept of students' convention at the university level is very timely. Through this, a network is created between researchers and teachers-students of different universities of the country. Which consolidates the strong industry-academia environment.'
Cox's Bazar Development Authority Chairman Commodore Mohammad Nurul Abshar, NGP, NDC, PSC was the special guest in the convention held with the participation of seven public universities of the country; Dean of CUET Faculty of Architecture and Planning Prof. Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, Convention Organizing Committee Convener Planner Prof. Dr. M Shafiq-ur-Rahman. CUET City and Regional Planning Department Head Professor Dr. Muhammad Rashidul Hasan gave a welcome speech. President of Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) Mohammad Fazle Reza Sumon presided over the event. URP assistant professor ATM Shahjahan moderated the program.
The day-long event of the convention began with the flying of the dove symbol of peace and a joyous rally in front of the university's administrative building. The rally went from the administrative building to the civil engineering building and ended at the URP building. Students, teachers and officials of different universities along with invited guests participated in it.
Later, various projects and poster exhibitions prepared by the students of city and regional planning departments of seven universities of the country were inaugurated on the ground floor of the URP building.
The universities participating in the convention are - Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna University, Jahangirnagar University, Pabna Science and Technology University.
About 300 young planners of the country along with representatives of Save the Children, BRAC-Urban Development and other allied organizations participated in the convention.
