Staff Correspondent

A bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between the National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Bangladesh Open University (BOU) to foster collaboration in biotechnology, higher education, and joint research.

The signing ceremony took place at the conference room of the Ministry of Science and Technology at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday.

Speaking as the chief guest, Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Md. Anwar Hossain described the MoU as a milestone in the country's scientific and research advancement. He noted that NIB, as an international-standard national research institute, will offer its modern laboratory and infrastructural facilities to BOU faculty and students—particularly MS and PhD researchers from the School of Agriculture.

Stressing the practical application of biotechnology, the secretary urged researchers to go beyond theoretical studies and journal publications to deliver tangible advancements in new medicine, bio-fertilizers, climate-resilient crops, and fisheries to improve public life.

He called upon NIB scientists and resource persons to maintain their primary focus on core research while mentoring students, noting that talented third- and fourth-year BOU students joining research projects would serve as valuable human resources over the next two to three years. He added that joint degree offerings and dual-logo certification bring mutual accountability, urging both institutions to demonstrate excellence through quality outputs.

The secretary assured full ministry support for expanding research and innovation, mentioning that collaboration will extend through the upcoming 'National Innovation Hub'.

BOU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan stated that under the agreement, both institutions will jointly offer Diploma, MSc, MPhil, and PhD degrees in biotechnology. Key areas of collaboration include joint curriculum and training design, collaborative research in genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology, shared laboratory facilities, student internships, and clear frameworks on intellectual property rights (IPR) and confidentiality.

NIB Director General Professor Dr. Md. Sagir Ahmed and BOU Acting Registrar T. M. Ahmed Hossain signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions.

Additional Secretaries of the Ministry of Science and Technology Abul Khair Md. Akkas Ali and Dr. Syeda Naoshin Parnini, alongside BOU Dean of the School of Science and Technology Professor Dr. Abdul Mazid Mondal and senior officials from both organizations, were present at the ceremony.