NSU, UWA launch Agribusiness Centre of Excellence

North South University (NSU) and the University of Western Australia (UWA) jointly inaugurated the NSU-UWA Agribusiness Centre of Excellence on Wednesday to foster excellence in agribusiness research and translate its findings into practical applications.

The Department of Economics, School of Business and Economics at NSU, in collaboration with the UWA Institute of Agriculture organised the inaugural ceremony, said a press release.

Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque was the chief guest at the event chaired by Professor Atiqul Islam, vice-chancellor of NSU where Yasmin Kamal, a member of the board of trustees at NSU was also present.

In his speech, the minister said “Food security is the biggest challenge. The government is helping farmers and entrepreneurs to produce high-value cash crops in the country to add value to agribusiness. University research is important to modernise agriculture. He hoped that the knowledge, experience and technical support of a developed country like Australia will contribute to our agriculture.”

The keynote speaker of the event was Professor Nazrul Islam, visiting professor at NSU and honorary senior research fellow at the University of Western Australia. He was pivotal as the Principal Investigator of the project titled “Assessing Adoption and Diffusion of Agricultural Innovations in Bangladesh,” the first initiative undertaken by the Agribusiness Centre of Excellence. Professor Nazrul received an esteemed Krishi Gobeshona Foundation (KGF) award for his exceptional work.

Professor Dr M Ismail Hossain, pro-vice-chancellor of NSU, welcomed the distinguished guests.