Photo: Collected

PATUAKHALI, May 18, 2025 (BSS) - For the first time, Patuakhali Science and 
Technology University (PSTU) today organised an exceptional research-based 
event named 'Research Festival 2025' on the campus in its 23-year history. 

The daylong festival was organised by the "PSTU Research and Training Center" 
as part of a long-term reflection on the crisis, potential and sustainable 
development of the coastal region. 

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar was connected with the 
programme virtually as the chief guest.

Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university Professor Kazi Rafiqul Islam spoke on 
the occasion as the chief patron while Dean of the university's Faculty of 
Biology Prof Md. Sujahangir Kabir Sarkar conducted it. 

Member of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh Prof Masuma Habib, 
Pro-VC of the PSTU Prof SM Hemayet Jahan and Senior Prof Md. Hamidur Rahman 
were present as special guests.

In her speech, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar said, 
"Universities are centers of knowledge and creativity. Teachers and 
researchers should engage themselves in regular research and disseminate it 
among the students." 

VC Kazi Rafiqul Islam, also eminent educationist and researcher, said 
"Teachers should not be limited to teaching only in the classroom, but should 
contribute to the development of society and the nation through regular 
research. Despite many limitations, our teachers are already conducting 
various research activities. PSTU has set a new example by organising such an 
event for the first time among all universities in Bangladesh this year." 

UGC member Prof Masuma Habib said, "We want to build a knowledge-based, 
sustainable and dignified state. This university, located in the southern 
region, has immense potential. The quality of research is very high-which is 
very satisfying. Hopefully, PSTU will be established as a "Center of 
Excellence" soon. 

Pro-VC Prof Hemayet Jahan said, "Our goal is to ensure the quality of 
research and its applicability to society. This festival will make PSTU the 
center of coastal research." 

Director of PSTU Research and Training Center Prof Md. Mamun-ur-Rashid said, 
"Research Festival 2025 is not just an event, but the beginning of building a 
new generation based on the coastal crisis and potential." 

The event was attended, among others, by the Registrar of the university and 
Director of IQAC Cell Prof Md. Iktiar Uddin, deans of various faculties, 
teachers and students. 

Under the UGC's special grant during the fiscal year 2022-23, 10 research 
projects, focusing on the theme of 'Research for Coastal Resilience', of five 
faculties of the university and two special projects of 'PSTU Research and 
Training Center' were presented at the festival. 

These were mainly practical and field-based research around the contemporary 
problems, prospects and sustainable development of the coastal region, which 
made students interested in research. 

At the end of the festival, an initiative has been taken to publish a 
commemorative book and prepare an organisational report with selected 
research projects.

"Research Festival 2025" was not just a formal event but also a vibrant 
beginning of long-term and sustainable research-based thinking on the crisis 
and potential of coastal life.