CU Correspondent
Chittagong University’s Research and Higher Study Society (CURHS) and the university’s International Affairs Office honored 77 teachers and students on Tuesday, July 21, for winning scholarships and achieving research success this year, at a ceremony held at the University Innovation Hub.
Of the 77 honorees, teachers and students received scholarships to pursue higher education and research at universities abroad this year, while nine faculty members had papers published in globally renowned journals including The Lancet, Nature Communications, and PNAS.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr. Mohammed Al-Amin attended as chief guest, with Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Md. Safiqul Islam as special guest and former Chittagong Medical College Principal and WHO Tropical Disease Research Programme consultant scientist Professor Dr. Emran Bin Yunus as guest of honor.
In his address, Al-Amin said the continued success of CU teachers and students on the international stage reflects the university’s research quality and capacity, adding that the administration would keep supporting research-based education and international collaboration. Safiqul Islam said the experience and skills gained by teachers and students through higher education abroad would play an important role in advancing the country’s higher education and research.
CURHS moderator Professor Dr. Adnan Mannan presented data on scholarship recipients at various international institutions and the university’s standing in research. Professors Dr. Alok Paul, Dr. Kazi Tanvir Ahammed, and Dr. Shahnewaz Chowdhury shared their experiences studying abroad. Greetings were also delivered by International Office Director Professor Dr. Shahabuddin, IQAC Director Professor Dr. Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, and CURHS General Secretary Amit Chowdhury, Joint Secretary Didarul Mohsin, and Research Secretary Samir Islam.
This year, 77 people won prestigious scholarships abroad, including two teachers on Commonwealth Scholarships, three on Erasmus Mundus, four on MEXT (Monbukagakusho) scholarships, and three on Australian government scholarships. The highest numbers of students went abroad from the departments of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Forestry and Environmental Science, International Relations, and Pharmacy.
Professors Dr. Khadija Mitu, Dr. Farzana Yasmin Chowdhury, Dr. Suman Gangopadhyay, Dr. Kamal Dey, Dr. Oli Ahmed, Dr. Shahidullah Kaiser, Dr. Masud Kamal, and Dr. Humayun Kabir were recognized for publishing in high-impact journals and achieving the highest citation counts.
The ceremony also honored teacher-researchers who won World Bank HEAT project awards, received recognition at international conferences, and published in high-impact international journals. Participants called for such events to be held regularly for students aspiring to study abroad, saying direct access to successful scholars’ experiences would offer practical guidance for future applicants.