Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal called for taking more research and development initiatives on Disaster Science and Management in Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable and disaster prone countries in the world,” he said this on Sunday while speaking as chief guest on foundation celebration of Disaster Science and Management Department of the university at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban.
In order to face various kinds of natural calamities and reduce risks of disasters, scholars of Dhaka University particularly from the Department of Disaster Science and Management should come forward with research and development proposals, he added.
Presided over by DU Vice chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, the programme was also attended by Chairman, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Prof Dr MS Akbar, National Project Director of Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme, Mohammad Abdul Quyyum, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mikio Hataeda and Deputy Country Director of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nick Beresfood as special guests.
AHM Mustafa Kamal said that the government will provide necessary support to implement research and development initiatives he added.
Underscoring the need for academically vibrant as well as efficient and skilled manpower, the minister urged Dhaka University to provide more graduates so that they can play an important role in the field of disaster management in the country.
DU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique said that the university is very much concern about Disaster Management scenario of the country. He said that it has been working closely with government and international development partners especially with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
He hoped that collaboration with these and other development partners will flourish further in the coming days. He congratulated the department on its founding celebration.
Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, Chairman of the Department of Disaster Science and Management and Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences of Dhaka University delivered welcome speech and made a presentation on curriculum of the department.
