Photo : BSS

MYMENSINGH, July 15, 2025 (BSS) - Two new institutes -- Institute of Biotechnology and the Institute of Environmental Science and Disaster Management -- have officially launched at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). 

Vice-Chancellor of the university Professor Dr. AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan announced the inauguration of the two institutes today. 

Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Professor Dr. M. Mujibur Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Professor Dr. Md. Bahanur Rahman, Director of the Institute of Biotechnology Professor Dr. Md. Shahidul Haque and Director of the Institute of Environmental Science and Disaster Management Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Baten were present at the time, among others. 

The Departments of Biotechnology and Environmental Science were previously under the Faculty of Agriculture. However, for a long time, there was a demand for these departments to operate as independent institutes. 

The demand was implemented with the approval of the administration in the last syndicate meeting and the formal activities began with today's inauguration. 

The directors of the two institutes said that the admission process for undergraduate students will start from the next academic year. 

At the inauguration ceremony, BAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan said, these two institutes were waiting for approval for more than 20 years, which is very difficult for us. However, we were optimistic and have always been active on this issue. 

Hopefully, these two institutes will make a breakthrough contribution to the field of research and education in line with the current global context, he said.

Director of the Institute of Biotechnology Professor Dr. Md. Shahidul Haque said, "We will start undergraduate education programs with 25 to 30 students in the beginning. Biotechnology is currently one of the most important branches in agriculture and medical science. It has huge potential for food security and agricultural development. We have already contacted various universities in the country for coordination in education and research and will soon finalize a modern curriculum."

On the other hand, Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Baten, Director of the Institute of Environmental Science and Disaster Management, said, "We are preparing a complete four-year course curricula, where important aspects of disaster management will be included in addition to the environment. For this, a four-member curriculum committee has been formed, who are already analyzing models from different countries."