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Govt working for women empowerment through expanding education

CU Vice Chancellor tells Bangladesh Post


Published : 25 Feb 2022 07:56 PM

The government is working relentlessly for developing women empowerment through expediting female education. Girls can educate themselves at a free cost. I am working for advancing female education, said Chittagong University Vice Chancellor (CUVC) Prof Dr Shireen Akhter, in an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Post.

"Female students are now doing much better compared to the previous years. Besides, when I go outside, I see that females are working for organizations and becoming entrepreneurs. I try to emphasize the homemakers here to become financially independent", she added.  

Dr Shireen Akhter shared her insights, future plans of development for the university, challenges during the pandemic, specially mentioning the current situation in the Chittagong University. 

The excerpts of her interview is as bellow: 

Bangladesh Post:  As an educationist and Vice Chancellor of a leading public university of the country, could you please brief us how challenging it was to run the academic activities in the institutions during pandemic?

Prof Shireen Akhter: The pandemic period was troublesome for me and for the university as well. However, we managed to get over the critical situation successfully by the grace of Allah. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we made arrangements of transportation for the students from the university so that they could reach their home safely, inspired them to attend online classes, managed SIM cards for them at only Tk 10 and provided them with various amenities for their mental and educational support.

We wanted to set up an isolation center for Covid-19 patients. Although we could not do it but increased the beds of the medical center up to 20 for patients with the donations of CU alumni. We installed high flow cannel at the center but unfortunately we could not manage any ICU bed as we did not have the required number of medical team and nurse. However, we set up a lab to test covid and tested more than 70 thousand patients from Hathazari, Fatikchari, Rangamati, Shitakunda and even from Noakhali. 

At present vaccination programme is going on in our medical centers. Students who have taken at least one dose of vaccine can reside at dormitories. We provided vaccines to all academic staff. Examinations are being taken maintaining health guidelines. The classes have reopened on 22nd February but before this, we took the examinations to alleviate the loss of academic session. If the examinations are not held, students get frustrated. Those who survive by tuitions, face a hard time due to the session jam. Therefore, considering these issues, we are working for their welfare. 

Bangladesh Post: You have been awarded Begum Rokeya Award for ensuring women rights. What more things do you intend to do as a female VC for female education?

Prof Shireen Akhter:  The government is working for the development of female education. Girls can educate themselves at a free cost. I am working for advancing female education. Female students are now doing much better compared to the previous years. Besides, when I go outside, I see that females are working for organizations. And they are becoming entrepreneurs. I try to emphasize the homemakers here for becoming financially independent.  

Without education, there is no dynamism. No one can remain illiterate in order to develop the nation. If you look at western countries, almost their entire population is literate. We also have to nourish this mentality. Our values and practice of ethics will not improve unless we become educated. It is essential for everyone, especially for women. Much more facilities should be provided in this regard. 

Bangladesh Post: Could you please tell us about the ongoing projects or future new plans which could not be implemented due to Covid-19?

Prof Shireen Akhter: I have incurred grave financial and familial losse during the ongoing pandemic but I am still performing my duties appropriately. I have visited the IT center in person eight times to verify the advancement of the projects. I went to the Ministry of Education and UGC to pass our B2P. The expected plan has been baffled by Covid-19 but we are still moving forward. I always dream of implementing all activities and by the grace of the Almighty Allah, all of them will be implemented soon. 

Bangladesh Post: The universities are evaluated by its researches. What is the current competence of CU in research field? 

Prof Shireen Akhter: I firmly desire to take CU forward in terms of knowledge, science and technology. We have paid attention in research and instructed the departments accordingly. Many of us complain that the budget in academic research is not sufficient but it’s not absolutely true. Government grants enough budget and we are going to publish 39 research articles in journals of global standard very soon. Our ICT cell is working hard. Teachers, officers are being trained up under it. An accreditation cell has been formulated where everyone’s performance will be evaluated.

Bangladesh Post: How much attention the administration is paying to infrastructural development?

Prof Shireen Akhter: I am trying to develop the infrastructures. The Department of Marine Science is in its 50th year. It was inaugurated in the time of Bangabandhu. A new building will be inaugurated soon and for Marine Science Department, we have specified a massive location in Cox’s Bazar.  If it is passed in the syndicate meeting, we will apply to our honorable prime minister for assistance with fund after taking site from the Ministry of Land.We cannot afford its location with our own funds. 

Besides, China will construct a building here. It will be known as Confucius Center. They will provide teachers and their honorarium but the location site be ours. Moreover, government bestowed us with Tk 4 crore to develop the residential halls and we made another application for other four halls which is under UGC sanction.

This year Maldives will offer scholarship to two students. We have arranged 100 seminars on the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation.

We are trying to develop our Muktijuddha Corner and library.We have formed a governing body and they will be supervising it.

Bangladesh Post: Once you mentioned converting fountain to hydroelectricity to manage safe water for everyone in your university. What is the progress of that project?

Prof Shireen Akhter: We thought, by collecting flow water and rain water, we can provide safe water not only to university dwellers but also to all Hathazari people. However, it will not be possible right now. I can inform you that, the university will not face safe water difficulty in the next 50 years. We have had a meeting with two companies and will be communicating with others to ensure affordable safe water. 

Bangladesh Post: After taking over the responsibility of VC, you expressed optimism regarding convocation. What is your plan regarding the issue?

Prof Shireen Akhter: Yes, we have that plan in our mind. After the situation gets normal, we will offer a D.Lit to our prime minister by arranging a short convocation. We have sent a letter to the prime minister. She has done many things for our country. When she will give a green signal to be here, we will arrange it. Moreover, we will arrange general convocation in next December.