Sarunas Birutis, Minister of Culture, Lithuania, called on Dhaka University (DU) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique yesterday at his office.
The Minister was accompanied by Lithuania Ambassador Laimonas Talat-
Kelpsa, Ambassador's spouse Ms Alina Taluntyte, Lithuanian Language Institute Director General Prof Elena Jolanta Zabarskaite and Lithuanian Cultural Ministry high official Ms Gabija Zaukauskiene, a DU press release said.
During the meeting they discussed matters of mutual interest. Lithuanian Minister said an excellent friendly relation had been prevailing between Bangladesh and Lithuania for a long time.
Prof Arefin apprised the Lithuanian Minister of Dhaka University's history, its academic and research activities, its collaboration with various universities of the world, its admission process and its contribution to socio-economic development of Bangladesh.
The possibilities of undertaking joint collaborative academic and research programmes by the DU and higher educational institutions in Lithuania were also discussed in the meeting. They stressed on the need for exchange of teachers, students, researchers and scientists between DU and Lithuanian universities. Later, the DU VC took Lithuanian Minister and other members of the delegation to the Central Shahid Minar where they paid homage to Language Martyrs by placing floral wreaths.
Earlier, a nine-member theatre team led by Prof. Dr. Alejandro Gonzalez Puche of the Department of Theatre of the University of Valle, Colombia called on Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. AAMS Arefin Siddique on March 8 at the latter's office of the university.
Other team members were Prof. Jesus Dauid Valencia, Prof. Julian Mauricio Gomez, Prof. Felpe Andres Peres, Technician Robinson Achinte and students Lady Joharna Robledo Mina, Laura Liliana Posso, Judy Tafiana Toro and Angilica Maria Castro.
Prof of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies of DU Dr Md. Israfil Shaheen and Coordinator of Spanish Language Course of DU Institute of Modern Languages Amparo Porta Rivas were present on the occasion.
During the meeting, they discussed the possibilities of strengthening on-going joint collaborative academic programmes between University of Dhaka and the University of Valle, Colombia. They stressed the need for the exchange of more faculties, researchers, students and performers between the two universities.
It may be mentioned that the Colombian team is now on a visit to Bangladesh to attend a five-day international workshop at the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies of DU.
The visiting theatre team will also perform a drama on 'The Dialogue of Dogs' on March 16, 2016 at 6pm at the TSC auditorium.