Study tours for practical learning

A study tour is a travel experience to achieve specific learning goals. Study tour emphasises experiential learning and offers both group and self-directed activities that enable learners to explore new territories, cultures, and people. Although every department of a university does not have compulsory study tours as a part of their course, the faculty of geography and environment must have study tours as part of their course.
  In order to fulfil the preconditions of their course of study at the university, 90 students of honours 4th year and Masters level studying at the department of Geography and Environment of Jahangirnagar University (JU) visited River Research Institute(RRI), Faridpur. Faridpur RRI is one of two RRIs in South Asia. This institute plays an important role in providing information and recommendations regarding different water resources development plans and interventions. Physical modelling facilities are available in RRI. Recently it has added Mathematical modelling facilities, which is proved to be very essential for different water resources development and management projects. Modelling facilities are opportunities where researchers can study the river-related things like different river erosion, siltration, river administration and so on. After observing different modelling at the RRI and a presentation by the RRI authority about their activities, the teachers and students of Jahangirnagar University also visited the home of Palli Kobi (poet of nature) Jasim Uddin. They were emotion-stricken to see the tin-shaded houses where Jasim Uddin lived. The pomegranate tree reminded them of the immortal poem 'Kobor' (The Grave). It is mentionable that this poem was included in the textbook of class ten (the then entrance) while he was still a student of Calcutta University. The visitors were shocked to know that the original pomegranate tree was not there, another one was planted at the place of the previous one. The newly constructed Jasim Foundation, although not yet ready for public visits, delighted the tourists. Then they visited the bank of the river Padma which is known as 'Dholar More' (Curving at Dhola). It is said that Dholar More was used as a port many years ago. A few years ago, the town of Faridpur faced a threat of river disintegration but it was solved nicely by the government through river administration.
As part of their tour they came to Government Teachers' Training College, Faridpur (TTC). They had their lunch there. The teachers of Geography and Environment, JU, Dr Md Nurul Islam, Dr Shahedur Rashid, Dr Sheikh Tauhidul Islam were with the students to guide them. Then some members of the Greater Faridpur Association of Geography and Environment, the JU teachers, and the TTC faculties met in a short meeting in the office of Professor Md Motiar Rahman, Principal, TTC, Faridpur. Professor Motiar Rahman welcomed the team and briefed what courses and training the TTC offers. The JU teachers also briefed the meeting that the JU has a rich laboratory where researchers can conduct research.
The meeting was presided over by Professor Md Motiar Rahman. Among others, Vice Principal Md Nurul Islam, Associate Professor Mr Anwarul Bari, Associate Professor Mr Kaushik Kumar Das, Assistant Professor Mr. Ranjit Podder, Assistant Professor Mr. Asim Kumar Vodro and Professor Abdur Razzak from Government Rajendra College were present in the meeting. The JU teachers invited the geographers to conduct academic research such as MPhil and PhD at their university. They talked about how to use the resources available in both the institutions could be shared. Moreover, they said they would come with other groups of students to conduct geological surveys in Faridpur. Professor Md Motiar Rahman promised that he would provide every possible support to any group coming from Jahangirnagar University.

The writers are first-year honours students at Government Teachers' Training College in Faridpur,
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