CU CORRESPONDENT
Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Furkan, the Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University (CU), visited the newly established Satellite Ocean Observation and Data Innovation Center on the university campus at 10:00 am on Friday.
During the visit, the Center’s Director and Professor of the Oceanography Department, Dr. Mohammad Moslem Uddin Munna, guided the Vice-Chancellor through the facility. The VC inspected the server rooms, satellite antennas, lab spaces, and display units, while receiving briefings on the technical capabilities of the advanced machinery.
Expressing high satisfaction with the facility, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Furkan described the center as a “major asset” for the university.
“Once fully operational, the entire nation will reap the benefits of this center. This state-of-the-art facility, built with technical support from China’s Second Institute of Oceanography (SIO), is a vital asset for the country,” the VC stated. He noted that the center will collect crucial data from the Bay of Bengal, allowing students to conduct research that will drive the development of the Blue Economy.
The project originated from a proposal by Professor Dr. Mohammad Moslem Uddin. A working agreement was signed with China’s SIO in December 2024, followed by the commencement of construction on March 26, 2025. On February 21, 2026, the 566th meeting of the CU Syndicate officially approved the facility as an independent center under its current name.
Regarding the progress, Director Dr. Moslem Uddin informed that the physical construction is nearly complete. Currently, experts are working on data downloading from targeted satellites, processing programming, and algorithm development.
“We expect to wrap up the technical setup by May 2026. If everything proceeds as planned, we intend to hold the final operational inauguration in the first week of June in consultation with the Vice-Chancellor,” the Director added.
Earlier, upon his arrival at the center, research students welcomed the Vice-Chancellor with floral bouquets. The visit concluded with the VC providing necessary directives to the researchers and faculty members involved in the project.