University of Bath Delegation Visits Thakurgaon Campus to Explore Higher-Education and Technical Cooperation
Two representatives of the United Kingdom's University of Bath have visited the Eco University of Science and Technology (EUST) in Thakurgaon to assess the prospects for expanding higher education, developing technical skills and building international academic cooperation.
On Sunday afternoon (18 October), the delegation toured the university's campus at Purba Nargun in Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila. The main purpose of the visit was to see at first hand the possible areas of cooperation in higher education and skills development.
The delegation comprised Professor Joseph Devine, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath, and Dr Mathilde Rose Lewis Metro, the university's Deputy Head of Department and an associate professor.
The British representatives were welcomed by Dr Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman, Chairman of Eco University and Executive Director of the Eco-Social Development Organisation (ESDO). Faculty members, teachers, administrative officers and staff of the university were present at the time.
During the visit, the representatives toured the university's teaching activities, academic environment, practical training arrangements and technical facilities. Alongside seeing different parts of the campus, they were briefed on how teaching and training work in practice.
As part of the tour, they observed the practical training laboratories of the Eco Institute of Technology (EIT) and other academic and technical facilities, and were informed about students' opportunities for hands-on training, technical knowledge and the development of practical, work-ready skills.
Discussions covered improving the quality of education, building technology-based skills, encouraging innovation, and the possibilities for education and knowledge exchange at international level. Ensuring quality higher education and strengthening the link between classroom teaching and practical learning received particular emphasis.
The talks also addressed encouraging technological innovation and preparing students for the global workplace. The possibility of enriching academic programmes through contact and experience-sharing with international institutions was also discussed.
The Eco University authorities regard the visit as significant in the context of expanding higher-education and technical-education opportunities in a northern district such as Thakurgaon. They expect that stronger international academic links will improve the quality of education and create new opportunities for knowledge exchange for students and teachers.
Dr Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman, Chairman of Eco University, said the visit had created a valuable opportunity for academic dialogue, knowledge exchange and exploring the possibilities of international academic engagement and cooperation in the future.
He added that EUST is committed to advancing quality education, practical learning, technological innovation and global academic connections in order to build skilled professionals and future leaders. It remains to be seen whether this initial fact-finding visit takes the shape of concrete cooperation in the days ahead.
