NITUB's Annual Report, 2006
Training Programme:
In the year 2006, NITUB has organized its 26th, 27th and 28th training programmes. The 26th training programme of NITUB on the use and maintenance of Gas Chromatograph (GC) was held at the Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka Dhaka-1000, on 24 - 29 June 2006. Seven participants from various organizations took part in the training programme. Though it was planned to be a national training programme, a young faculty member from Nepal also attended the programme. University teachers, senior scientists and NITUB technical experts conducted the training programme. Professor A.F.M. Yusuf Haider, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Dhaka was the Chief Guest in the inaugural function of the training programme. In the closing ceremony the participants spoke very high about the standard of the training programme and were very happy to attend it. They requested NITUB to conduct training programmes on various group of instruments on a regular basis so that user scientists and technical personnel can update their knowledge.
The 27th training programme on Common Laboratory Equipment for College Teachers was held on 16-17&19-20 September 2006 at Eden Mohila University College, Azimpur, Dhaka. This is for the first time NITUB extended its training programme to University College Techers. Professor Jahan-E-Gulshan Mahmuda Khanam, Principal, Eden College kindly attended the inaugural session of the training programme as chief guest. There were 22 Science Teachers of different University College of Dhaka City who took part in the workshop. The 27th training programme created lots of enthusiasm among teachers and it was recommended that NITUB would organize such type of training programme for other university colleges of different cities of Bangladesh on regular basis. In the Concluding session of the 27th training programme, Professor Wakil Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, National University in his concluding speech as chief guest congratulated the participants for successfully completing the training and handed over certificates. Professor Ahmad also urged NITUB to extend its instrument repair programme to University Colleges of National University and he would also extended his support and full cooperation.
The 28th training programme of NITUB on the use and maintenance of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was held at the Department of Soil, Water and Environment and Department of Geology, University of Dhaka on 14 - 19 December 2006. Eleven (11) participants from various organizations took part in the training programme. University teachers, senior scientists and NITUB technical experts conducted the training programme. Dr. Peter Sundin, Director, IPICS, Sweden, was present in the inaugural function of the training programme. The participants evaluated the training programme as a very effective one and requested NITUB to conduct training programmes on various groups of scientific equipment on regular basis so that user scientists and technical personnel can update their knowledge. The closing session of the training programme was attended by Professor Dr. Tajmeri S. A. Islam, Dean, Faculty of Science, University of Dhaka, as the chief guest. In her speech, Professor Islam highlighted the activities of NITUB and thanked NITUB for organizing such type of training programme. Professor Islam congratulated the participants for successfully completing the training and handed over certificates to them.
Instrument Repair Programme :
NITUB started its Instrument Repair Programme in July 1996. Scientists of different organizations are taking the opportunity and so far 568 scientific instruments of various organization have been successfully repaired by NITUB till 2005. In the year 2006, NITUB repaired 34 scientific equipment of different educational and research organizations of Bangladesh. The technical experts of NITUB estimated that in 2006 the scientific instruments repaired was worth approximately BD Taka 2,62,30,000/- (U.S. $ 38,5735/-) for which NITUB spent approximately BD Taka 77,016/- (U.S. $ 1132/-).
Others activities
IFS sponsored an International Workshop on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) with training on scientific methodology, development of grant applications, access to scientific literature and service and maintenance of scientific equipment on 23-27 April 2006 at RIGS INN Hotel, Dhaka, Bangladesh. NITUB was one one of the co-organizers of the workshop. Professor Altaf Hussain, General Secretary of NITUB, presented NITUB's activities in the Workshop. The participants of the workshop showed their keen interest in the programmes of NITUB.
A follow up National workshop on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) with training on scientific methodology and development of grant applications was sponsored by IFS on 27-28 September 2006 at RIGS INN Hotel, Dhaka, Bangladesh. In this National workshop Professor Altaf Hussain also presented a paper, "NITUB activities and services opportunity for young researchers".
The Executive Committee of NITUB met Dr. Cecilia Öman, Scientific Programme coordinator of IFS on 27 April 2006 at 7-30 p.m. at 134, Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
A variety of issues were discussed in the meeting and among others the following tasks were proposed:
1. NITUB to organize an equipment hands-on repair workshop with five IFS grantees if funding can be arranged. Such a workshop could also involve other participants and if successful be repeated every year. The first workshop is to be national but the project may develop into arranging also international workshops. Participants will be selected through contacts and also by scanning the IFS web site for IFS grantees.
2. NITUB to manage spare-parts for IFS grantees in the region if funding for such a project can be secured and procedures agreed on. The procedures about spare-part management are to be developed.
3. If procedures can be agreed on and funding is found, NITUB may repair equipment for IFS grantees upon request. This is to take place nationally but possibly also internationally in the region.
4. Such an increased collaboration between NITUB and IFS may benefit from developing a Memorandum of Understanding.
It was also agreed that to strengthen the collaboration with IFS, NITUB EC would meet soon and formulate proposals on the different proposals to be submitted to IFS and to draft an MoU. NITUB sent the draft MoU to IFS on 7th August 2006 and is now under active consideration of IFS. It is expected that NITUB will conduct programmes from 2007 with financial support of IFS.
Sad demise of Professor Dr. M. Shamsul Huq :
The EC members of NITUB expressed their profound grief and condolence on the sad demise of Professor Dr. M. Shamsul Huq who passed away on 12 September 2006 at 4-45 p.m. (Innah lilahi o innah illaihi rajeon ). This meeting respectfully remembers his unparalleled contributions as an academician, researchers, administrator and his association with many learned societies especially with NITUB. His contribution to the welfare of the country is unforgettable. We pray to the Almighty Allah for his departed soul and express our deep sympathy for the bereaved family members.
Acknowledgement
NITUB gratefully acknowledges the financial and logistic support and cooperation of the International Programme in the Chemical Sciences (IPICS), Uppsala University, Uppsala, International Foundation for Science (IFS) and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
This report of NITUB for 2006 was approved in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 29 March 2006. |
