A delegation from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) visited the production facilities of Nestlé Bangladesh Ltd. in Sreepur, Gazipur on Thursday. The visit aimed to strengthen ties between academia and industry, with a focus on knowledge sharing, research collaboration, and technological innovation.
The BUET team was led by Professor Dr. Mohidus Samad Khan, Director of the Institute of Appropriate Technology (IAT), BUET. He was accompanied by Professor Dr. Iftekhar Uddin Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor Rifat Rahman, and students from the Institute of Appropriate Technology and the Department of Chemical Engineering.
The visiting team was warmly received by senior officials of Nestlé Bangladesh, led by Mr. Md. Rashedul Hasan Kayes Alhayat, Manufacturing Director of Nestlé Bangladesh. Other members of the Nestlé team included Major Habib Haq (Retd), Senior Manager – Corporate Affairs & Security; Mr. Dip Raj Baidya, Corporate Affairs Manager; Mr. ASM Shamsuzzaman, Head of Engineering; Mr. Rezaul Karim, Head of Production; Mr. Ripon Kumar, Manager & Unit Head of the Nutrition & Beverage Unit; Mr. Md. Ali Zobayer, Process Engineering Manager; and other senior officials.
During the visit, BUET students and faculty were given a comprehensive overview of Nestlé’s operations, including its manufacturing processes, quality assurance systems, and global technological standards. The Nestlé team emphasized that the company maintains uniform quality control practices across all its manufacturing facilities worldwide. Nestlé, which began operations in Bangladesh in 1992, is currently operating in 185 countries with over 2,000 brands and has a legacy spanning 158 years.
Speaking about the visit, Professor Dr. Mohidus Samad Khan said, “Nestlé is a global brand renowned for its cutting-edge technology and strong compliance practices. This visit has provided BUET students and faculty with invaluable insights into world-class production systems. BUET is committed to excellence in engineering education, research, and innovation. We are eager to build a robust industry-academia partnership with Nestlé Bangladesh, including joint R&D, technology transfer, and internship programs.”
Echoing the sentiment, Nestlé Bangladesh’s Manufacturing Director, Mr. Rashedul Hasan, said, “It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t experienced a Nestlé product, or a country without our presence. In Bangladesh, we are proud to produce international-standard products in a facility built to European specifications. BUET is one of the most esteemed academic institutions in the country, and BUET graduates play a pivotal role in our manufacturing excellence. We are enthusiastic about establishing a long-term collaboration with BUET.”
During the visit, both parties explored potential areas for joint initiatives. Nestlé officials identified several technological challenges where BUET’s expertise and local knowledge could play a significant role. As a starting point, both sides agreed to focus on “low-hanging fruits” where collaboration could deliver immediate and measurable impact.
The visit concluded with a photo session and a symbolic tree plantation ceremony at the Nestlé Bangladesh factory premises.
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