Muslim nations urged to take lead in sci-tech
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed Monday urged the Muslim nations to take the lead in science and technology, as they had once, through effective steps and better communications, reports bdnews24.com.
"We have to restore our own contribution to the world," Dr Fakhruddin made the appeal while speaking at the 22nd convocation ceremony at the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) at Boardbazar in Gazipur Monday.
Dr Fakhruddin pointed out that higher prices of energy across the globe, food crisis, climate change and environment pollution could contribute to the substantial change in the technological employment.
BSS adds: The Chief Adviser asked the OIC secretariat to consider launching OIC academic scholarships in the IUT to enable technical graduates pursuing higher education and research related to country-specific issues.
"Muslim scholars were pioneers of modern science and technology. We must regain our standing in the world, which we can only achieve, if we share information and ideas amongst us," he added.
IUT is a statutory organ of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) developing itself as a centre of excellence to meet the socio-economic needs of the member countries.
The Chief Adviser distributed certificates among the technical graduates and gold medals among the students for their outstanding academic results in IUT.
Finance and Planning Adviser AB Mirza Azizul Islam was present at the function.
OIC Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Dr Ali Akbar Salehi read out the speech given by OIC Secretary General Prof Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, also the IUT Chancellor, at the function.
IUT Vice Chancellor Dr M Imtiaz Hossain and IUT Registrar Ahsan Habib also spoke on the occasion.
Diplomats, educationists, high civil and military officials and dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Knowledge is essential for establishing peace and stability, Dr Fakhruddin said and added, "Our Prophet put great emphasis on acquiring knowledge. Muslim scholars like Al Razee, Al Beruni, Muhammad Al Kawarizmi and Omar Khayyam during the medieval period enriched different branches of knowledge including chemistry, mathematics, medicine, physics, architecture and literature."
Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said, the IUT needs to continually adapt its curricula to equip its students with the cutting edge technology.
Smugness stifles creativity, while a sense of discontentment is the driving force behind all innovations, he added. The OIC Secretary General said the OIC has always valued the high patronage of Bangladesh government in upholding the legitimate interest of the Ummah in all international forums.
Referring to global challenges like high-energy prices, scarcity of food, climate change and environmental pollution, Dr Fakhruddin said technology is a must to address such issues.
The very survival of countries like Bangladesh were threatened by potential rises in the sea level, he said and added the global community must tackle the challenge together.
UNB adds: "The OIC member states must commit themselves to living up to our shared scientific heritage. We must devote more resources, time and efforts to fostering excellence in science both by setting up world-class educational institutions as well as by encouraging research and development of the highest international standard," Dr Fakhruddin told the function.
Shahidul Amin received the OIC Gold Medal 2008 while Fakhrul Hasan, Rakib Imtiaz Zaman and SM Didar Al Alam the IUT Gold Medal 2008 for their outstanding academic performances and achievements. All the four gold medal winners are Bangladeshi students.
"We have to restore our own contribution to the world," Dr Fakhruddin made the appeal while speaking at the 22nd convocation ceremony at the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) at Boardbazar in Gazipur Monday.
Dr Fakhruddin pointed out that higher prices of energy across the globe, food crisis, climate change and environment pollution could contribute to the substantial change in the technological employment.
BSS adds: The Chief Adviser asked the OIC secretariat to consider launching OIC academic scholarships in the IUT to enable technical graduates pursuing higher education and research related to country-specific issues.
"Muslim scholars were pioneers of modern science and technology. We must regain our standing in the world, which we can only achieve, if we share information and ideas amongst us," he added.
IUT is a statutory organ of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) developing itself as a centre of excellence to meet the socio-economic needs of the member countries.
The Chief Adviser distributed certificates among the technical graduates and gold medals among the students for their outstanding academic results in IUT.
Finance and Planning Adviser AB Mirza Azizul Islam was present at the function.
OIC Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Dr Ali Akbar Salehi read out the speech given by OIC Secretary General Prof Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, also the IUT Chancellor, at the function.
IUT Vice Chancellor Dr M Imtiaz Hossain and IUT Registrar Ahsan Habib also spoke on the occasion.
Diplomats, educationists, high civil and military officials and dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Knowledge is essential for establishing peace and stability, Dr Fakhruddin said and added, "Our Prophet put great emphasis on acquiring knowledge. Muslim scholars like Al Razee, Al Beruni, Muhammad Al Kawarizmi and Omar Khayyam during the medieval period enriched different branches of knowledge including chemistry, mathematics, medicine, physics, architecture and literature."
Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said, the IUT needs to continually adapt its curricula to equip its students with the cutting edge technology.
Smugness stifles creativity, while a sense of discontentment is the driving force behind all innovations, he added. The OIC Secretary General said the OIC has always valued the high patronage of Bangladesh government in upholding the legitimate interest of the Ummah in all international forums.
Referring to global challenges like high-energy prices, scarcity of food, climate change and environmental pollution, Dr Fakhruddin said technology is a must to address such issues.
The very survival of countries like Bangladesh were threatened by potential rises in the sea level, he said and added the global community must tackle the challenge together.
UNB adds: "The OIC member states must commit themselves to living up to our shared scientific heritage. We must devote more resources, time and efforts to fostering excellence in science both by setting up world-class educational institutions as well as by encouraging research and development of the highest international standard," Dr Fakhruddin told the function.
Shahidul Amin received the OIC Gold Medal 2008 while Fakhrul Hasan, Rakib Imtiaz Zaman and SM Didar Al Alam the IUT Gold Medal 2008 for their outstanding academic performances and achievements. All the four gold medal winners are Bangladeshi students.