A three-day 8th International Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Conference styled “Biotechnology for innovative Agriculture and Food Security ” began on Saturday on Dhaka University campus.
Science and Technology Affairs Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman inaugurated the conference as the chief guest while Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique also joined it as special guest at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of the university).
Bangladesh Association for Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology (BAPTC & B) organized the event.
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University VC Prof Kamal Uddin Ahmed and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj VC Prof Khondoker Md Nasiruddin also joined the conference.
Speaking on the occasion, Architect Yeafesh Osman underscored the need for upgrading biotechnological research to ensure food security in the country.
He stressed on introducing joint collaborative research programmes on biotechnology among the researchers of different countries.
Prof Arefin Siddique said plant tissue culture techniques have now emerged as a major industrial factor in the area of plant propagation, disease elimination, plant improvement and production of secondary metabolites.
He urged the scientists to work together for upgrading scientific and technological status of the country.
The DU Vice-Chancellor said the teachers and the researchers of the university are working tirelessly for scientific innovation, technological expansion, economic development and human resource in the country.
Teachers and researchers from different countries including Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Nepal and UK are participating in the conference.
