The proposed establishment of a specialised university in Cox’s Bazar focusing on marine science, ocean economy, research, technology and blue economy education has moved forward, with the Prime Minister’s Office directing the relevant authorities to take necessary administrative measures.
The proposed institution, to be named the University of Blue Economy Sciences and Technology (UBEST), is planned to use the Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI) in Ramu’s existing infrastructure and research facilities during its initial phase.
The information, along with a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office, was published on Wednesday, September 30, on the verified Facebook page of Home Minister and Cox’s Bazar-1 MP Salahuddin Ahmed.
According to the letter issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on September 16, an application had been submitted seeking the establishment of UBEST in Cox’s Bazar, within the Cox’s Bazar-1 parliamentary constituency.
The proposal says the university could initially use BORI’s existing infrastructure, laboratories, research facilities, scientific personnel, training environment and coastal research framework to begin academic and practical activities.
The Prime Minister’s Office directed the relevant authorities to take the necessary administrative steps for establishing the university and submit a progress report on the measures taken.
Earlier, on September 13, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed sent a semi-official letter to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman regarding the proposal.
The letter stressed the importance of specialised higher education, research, practical training and skilled human resources to utilise the potential of marine resources in the Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh’s coastal areas.
Initial activities at BORI
The proposal says establishing a full-fledged university from scratch would require significant time, funding and separate infrastructure.
It therefore proposes using BORI’s existing infrastructure and facilities during the initial phase to begin education and research activities without waiting for long-term infrastructure development.
The proposal says BORI’s laboratories, scientific personnel, research facilities and training environment could support research-oriented and practical higher education from the early stages of the initiative.
The proposed university would initially offer teaching, research, training and internship programmes in areas including oceanography, fisheries and aquaculture, marine environment, coastal resource management, blue economy, marine data, tourism and hospitality.
Focus on skilled workforce
According to the proposal, the initiative would help make better use of existing national research infrastructure related to the blue economy while creating a specialised institution for developing skilled human resources in the sector.
The proposal places emphasis on using the marine resources of the Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh’s coastal areas through education, research and technology.
It also aims to develop skilled professionals in marine resource management, fisheries, coastal development, marine research and related sectors.
The Prime Minister’s Office’s directive marks a step towards advancing the proposal’s administrative process. However, UBEST has not yet been formally established.
The proposed university will require the completion of necessary administrative, institutional, and legal procedures before its establishment.
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