SYDNEY, Apr 28 (UNB): Noting that Bangladesh needs greater human capacity as it is going to the next stage of development through graduation from the LDC, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought on Saturday Australian cooperation to this end.
"As Bangladesh is going to the next stage of development through graduation from LDC, we need greater human capacity where Australia can contribute by providing training-type programmes and vocational education," she said.
While paying a visit to Western Sydney University, the Prime Minister also sought Australian cooperation in developing an inclusive and people-centric blue economy.
"Bangladesh is planning to develop inclusive and people-centric blue economy enhancing capacity-building with innovative financing, ensuring transfer of critical technology, and strengthening cross-sectoral partnerships and collaboration from Australia," she said.
Sheikh Hasina sought technical assistance for development of Bangladesh's marine aquaculture and exchange of teachers on oceanography.
She urged Bangladeshi students studying at the university to take advantage of the best knowledge that this university can offer.
The Prime Minister said she was deeply touched at the establishment of a bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the Sydney University campus. "The bust is rightly located in front of the Institute of Ocean Governance (ICOG) to recognise Bangabandhu's vision and pioneering role on maritime boundary demarcation through an Act of Parliament in 1974."
She mentioned that Bangladesh has been enjoying warm relations with Australia since Australia's recognition to independent Bangladesh on January 31, 1972. "Very fundamental of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Australia originates from the fact that Australia was the first country from the developed world to recognise our independence," she said.
"We offer homage to the world leaders who stood by our side during our Liberation War and the early years of our nationhood. Amongst the world leaders who championed our cause for liberation, Edward Gough Whitlam was one of them. Whitlam played a leading role in building a bipartisan consensus about Bangladesh as the leader of the opposition in the Australian Federal Parliament in 1971," she said.
Hasina mentioned that Whitlam also raised the plight of the humanitarian sufferings at the hands of the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators at that time.
He played an important role in lobbying with the international community for Bangladesh to be recognised by the Commonwealth and other countries, she said.
She also recalled with gratitude the contribution of Australian national William AS Ouderland during the War of Liberation for which he was given gallantry award 'Bir Protik' and awarded with 'Friends of Bangladesh War of Liberation War 1971'.
The Prime Minister said Australia has been a favourite destination for higher studies for Bangladeshi students and currently, some 200 students are studying in Western Sydney University.
Noting that Bangladesh is now setting up coal-fired power plants, Hasina said coal is being imported from Australia and Indonesia for the power plants.
The prime minister paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman placing a wreath at the Bust of Bangabandhu on the University campus. The Bust of the Father of the Nation was unveiled by Law, Justice Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq in February, 2017.
Leaders and activists of Australia chapter of Awami League greeted the Prime Minister with a bouquet there.
Later, a delegation of RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her hotel suite here.
