CA for reviving past glory of Muslims in science, technology
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
GAZIPUR, Oct 30 (UNB): Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Tuesday urged the Muslim countries to strive hard to revive the past glory of Muslims in science and technology to fulfill the future promise.
"…Not a single member of the OIC currently holds the status of a technologically developed nation," he lamented.
The head of the caretaker government expressed the view while addressing the 21st Convocation of Islamic University of Technology (IUT), a subsidiary organ of Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), at the IUT auditorium on the outskirts of the capital.
Fakhruddin said the arrival of Islam over fourteen hundred years ago transformed world civilisation. Muslim scholars enriched different branches of science and technology during the golden era of Islamic civilisation.
Recalling that the Muslim scholars made immense contributions to mathematics, chemistry, medicine, physics, architecture, arts and philosophy, he said the renaissance in Europe, in fact, owes much to the enlightened minds of Islamic scholars.
"Sadly Muslims have not always lived up to that glorious heritage. It is quite unfortunate that not a single member of the OIC currently holds the status of a technologically developed nation."
The Chief Adviser said the technological revolution of recent years has dramatically changed the lifestyle of human societies all over the world.
He said the march of technology is also accelerating the process of globalisation. Markets are becoming more and more competitive and to remain competitive. The Muslim countries must continuously update their technological know-how as well as acquire, adapt and apply necessary skills efficiently and effectively.
OIC member states currently spend under half a per cent of their GDPs on research and development (R&D), compared to 2.4 per cent by developed states, he told the function.
The Chief Adviser requested the General Secretariat of OIC to consider introducing academic scholarship like that of Commonwealth to enable the science graduates of OIC member states to pursue higher education.
He also urged the Secretariat to generate a fund from member countries to support R&D activities for the common good of the Ummah. "We in Bangladesh remain fully prepared to provide all possible help and assistance in these areas."
A total of 191 students, most from Bangladesh and others from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestine, Libya, Gambia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Somalia, Senegal, Jordan, Maldives, Niger and Yemen for academic year of 2006-07 got Bachelor, Masters and post-Graduate degrees and diplomas in Technical Education, Computer Science & Information Technology, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Mechanical and Chemical Engineering.
The Chief Adviser distributed certificates as a token among the fresh graduates and students obtaining Masters degree at the function. He also distributed IUT Gold Medal 2007 and OIC Gold Medal 2007 among the recipients.
Muhammad Mahmood Javaid of Pakistan, Shama Farabi Barna of Bangladesh and Shahriar Kaisar of Bangladesh were adjudged for IUT Gold Medal 2007 for their outstanding performance while Mohammad Abu Naser of Bangladesh adjudged for OIC Gold Medal 2007.
IUT Vice-chancellor M Fazli Ilahi gave the welcome address. Director General of OIC Razley bin Mohd Nordin read out the speech of OIC Secretary General Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Chancellor of IUT, at the function.
IUT students, guardians of the fresh graduates, advisers of the Caretaker Government, academics and distinguished personalities attended the convocation function.
The chief adviser also joined the convocation procession.
Congratulating the fresh graduates for their success in obtaining the degrees, Chief Adviser said, "You will soon enter a new phase of life, which is both challenging and demanding… always keep in mind that pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong affair."
He said the bonds of friendship that the students have developed, as part of Islamic brotherhood, will last them a lifetime. "I am confident, you will be able to make far-reaching contributions in enhancing effective exchange of knowledge and skills and at the same time consolidate the existing unity of the OIC countries."
"…Not a single member of the OIC currently holds the status of a technologically developed nation," he lamented.
The head of the caretaker government expressed the view while addressing the 21st Convocation of Islamic University of Technology (IUT), a subsidiary organ of Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), at the IUT auditorium on the outskirts of the capital.
Fakhruddin said the arrival of Islam over fourteen hundred years ago transformed world civilisation. Muslim scholars enriched different branches of science and technology during the golden era of Islamic civilisation.
Recalling that the Muslim scholars made immense contributions to mathematics, chemistry, medicine, physics, architecture, arts and philosophy, he said the renaissance in Europe, in fact, owes much to the enlightened minds of Islamic scholars.
"Sadly Muslims have not always lived up to that glorious heritage. It is quite unfortunate that not a single member of the OIC currently holds the status of a technologically developed nation."
The Chief Adviser said the technological revolution of recent years has dramatically changed the lifestyle of human societies all over the world.
He said the march of technology is also accelerating the process of globalisation. Markets are becoming more and more competitive and to remain competitive. The Muslim countries must continuously update their technological know-how as well as acquire, adapt and apply necessary skills efficiently and effectively.
OIC member states currently spend under half a per cent of their GDPs on research and development (R&D), compared to 2.4 per cent by developed states, he told the function.
The Chief Adviser requested the General Secretariat of OIC to consider introducing academic scholarship like that of Commonwealth to enable the science graduates of OIC member states to pursue higher education.
He also urged the Secretariat to generate a fund from member countries to support R&D activities for the common good of the Ummah. "We in Bangladesh remain fully prepared to provide all possible help and assistance in these areas."
A total of 191 students, most from Bangladesh and others from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestine, Libya, Gambia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Somalia, Senegal, Jordan, Maldives, Niger and Yemen for academic year of 2006-07 got Bachelor, Masters and post-Graduate degrees and diplomas in Technical Education, Computer Science & Information Technology, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Mechanical and Chemical Engineering.
The Chief Adviser distributed certificates as a token among the fresh graduates and students obtaining Masters degree at the function. He also distributed IUT Gold Medal 2007 and OIC Gold Medal 2007 among the recipients.
Muhammad Mahmood Javaid of Pakistan, Shama Farabi Barna of Bangladesh and Shahriar Kaisar of Bangladesh were adjudged for IUT Gold Medal 2007 for their outstanding performance while Mohammad Abu Naser of Bangladesh adjudged for OIC Gold Medal 2007.
IUT Vice-chancellor M Fazli Ilahi gave the welcome address. Director General of OIC Razley bin Mohd Nordin read out the speech of OIC Secretary General Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Chancellor of IUT, at the function.
IUT students, guardians of the fresh graduates, advisers of the Caretaker Government, academics and distinguished personalities attended the convocation function.
The chief adviser also joined the convocation procession.
Congratulating the fresh graduates for their success in obtaining the degrees, Chief Adviser said, "You will soon enter a new phase of life, which is both challenging and demanding… always keep in mind that pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong affair."
He said the bonds of friendship that the students have developed, as part of Islamic brotherhood, will last them a lifetime. "I am confident, you will be able to make far-reaching contributions in enhancing effective exchange of knowledge and skills and at the same time consolidate the existing unity of the OIC countries."