MBSTU, AIT sign MoU to expand academic and research collaboration

Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) to expand academic, research and institutional cooperation between the two institutions.

The agreement was signed at 12 noon on Tuesday (November 10) at the Vice-Chancellor's Conference Room of the University of Dhaka.

MBSTU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Shahidul Islam and AIT President Professor Pai-Chi Li signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions.

MBSTU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Anisur Rahman, deans of various faculties, the registrar and the director of the university's Research Cell attended the signing ceremony. AIT Extension Executive Director Voravate Chonlasin and Senior Programme Officer SK Shahin Hossain were also present.

Under the MoU, MBSTU faculty members will have opportunities to pursue PhD studies, scholarships and fellowships, collaborative research under joint supervision, and joint academic publications.

The agreement also envisages joint bachelor's and master's degree programmes, student exchange opportunities and credit transfer arrangements between the institutions.

Both universities are also exploring the possibility of establishing a Joint Research Centre to facilitate collaborative research, secure international research grants and organise international conferences, seminars, workshops and training programmes.

Priority research areas will include artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, data science, biomedical engineering, semiconductor engineering and advanced engineering technologies.

Under the agreement, Professor Dr Md Fazlul Karim, acting director of MBSTU's Office of International Affairs and director of its Student Welfare and Counselling Centre, and Dr Sumana Shrestha, director of International Affairs at AIT, will coordinate the collaborative activities.

AIT is an international higher education and research institution based in Asia.

The partnership is expected to open new avenues for academic exchange, research, training and technological cooperation, while strengthening MBSTU's internationalisation efforts and integration into global academic and research networks.