IRRI signs new agreement with IUBAT to further research and academic collaboration for agricultural development in Bangladesh

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU) on 09 August to further collaborative research, academic cooperation, and capacity building to bring sustainable change in food and nutrition security as well as livelihoods in  Bangladesh.

“This agreement unfolds partnership and collaboration opportunities between the two organizations,” said Humnath Bhadari, the IRRI country representative for  Bangladesh. “We hope to expand this partnership with other organizations, the private sector, and related stakeholders to reinvigorate Bangladesh’s rice sector and help achieve food and nutrition security”.

Under the MoU, IRRI and IUBAT will develop a work plan outlining programs for joint national and international events focusing on the rice-based agri-food system, collaborative research projects, access to agricultural research and educational facilities, developing young agricultural researchers and agri-entrepreneurs, and exchange of knowledge and expertise by way of faculty, researchers, and students.

IUBAT Vice Chancellor Md. Abdur Rab emphasized that the MoU has opened  a partnership which will encourage our researchers and students graduating in agriculture science and technology  to further leverage their learning, knowledge, and experience for the development of the agricultural sector of the country.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Md. Abdur Rab and Dr. Bhandari, on behalf of IRRI Director General Jean Balié, in a virtual MoU signing ceremony.

Dr. Balié said the MoU will help leverage IRRI’s strength and capacity in accelerating  food system development and transformation in Bangladesh as well as in developing the next generation of young and enthusiastic rice scientists and researchers in the country.

Representatives of IRRI Bangladesh and Philippine office and IUBAT faculty members and officials attended the program.

Established in 1991, IUBAT is the first non-government university in Bangladesh driven by its mission to develop human resources through appropriate teaching, training and guidance to suit the needs of a dynamic world. The university is one of the country’s  leading private academic institutions regulated by the University Grants Commission and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.