Khulna Agri University starts official activities

KHULNA, Jan 31: The official activities of Khulna Agricultural University (KAU) started in a multi-storied building at Sonadanga residential area of the city on Tuesday.
Mayor of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Talukder Abdul Khaleque inaugurated the administrative activities on the ground floor of the building as chief guest while Vice-Chancellor of KAU Prof Dr Shahedur Rahman and Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Md Helal Hossain also spoke in the function.
The chief guest said it's a golden day for the Khulna people as the KAU started official activities.
Hailing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the KCC Mayor said, the PM met the demand of Khulna people as per her commitment. On March 5, 2011, she promised that an agricultural university will be set up in Khulna as soon as possible.
He also said, at least two private colleges and six schools have been nationalised during the Awami League government's last tenure.
Hoping the university will play a tremendous role in the country's agricultural education, the mayor urged all to make it a politics-free university.
VC of KAU Prof Dr Shahidur Rahman Khan said, "We have a plan to begin academic activities on March 17 this year as the day is the birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. We have sent a proposal to the University Grant Commission to open at least 51 departments under seven faculties."
"A team of UGC will visit here tomorrow to survey utility of our demand and assessment to start an agricultural training centre at city's Daulatpur area," he also said.
At least 1,500 acres of land will be needed to set up a full-fledged agriculture university, he added.
On July 5, 2015, a bill titled 'Khulna Agriculture University Bill-2015' was passed at the 10th parliament session.
On September 17, the government appointed Prof Dr Shaheedur Rahman Khan of microbiology and hygiene department of Veterinary Faculty of Bangladesh Agriculture University as VC.