Fisheries and Future: National Conference Highlights Aquaculture Advancements at JUST
The Department of Fisheries and Marine Bioscience (FMB) at Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) organized the first-ever national conference titled “Advances in Aquaculture and Fisheries” to highlight the progress and potential in fish, shrimp, and mollusk farming, as well as broader aquatic resource development.
The conference was held on Tuesday (27 May) at 10:30 AM at the central gallery of JUST. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak attended the event as the chief guest.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor remarked, “Bangladesh is the third-largest country in aquaculture. Fish exports bring significant foreign exchange annually, playing a crucial role in our economic development. Fish is vital in meeting the country’s protein needs. To meet growing demand, research in aquaculture must be advanced. It is the department's responsibility to elevate the quality of such research and to inspire more people to take part in aquaculture. I firmly believe the nation will benefit from these efforts.”
He also urged students to actively engage in seminars and conferences: “Such platforms are essential for gaining and exchanging knowledge and improving communication skills, all of which are vital for your future. We are also planning to establish a Coastal and Brackish Water Center in Satkhira to further promote marine aquaculture. Once operational, students will have enhanced opportunities for hands-on research, bringing long-term benefits to the nation.”
Keynote speakers at the conference included Dr. Abdul Mannan Mat Jais, former professor of Universiti Putra Malaysia; Dr. Md. Golam Sarwar, Head of the Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Department at Khulna University; Dr. Debashish Majumder from the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Australia; and Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman Molla, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Vermont, USA. They presented detailed slide-based insights on aquaculture research, progress, and development.
The conference continued with a poster presentation by FMB students, followed by a hands-on workshop on “Modern Hatchery Operation and Management,” conducted by Professor Dr. Md. Anisur Rahman of the FMB department. At 4:30 PM, a certificate and award distribution ceremony was held for participants and poster competition winners.
Special guests included JUST Treasurer Professor Dr. Hossain Al Mamun and Dean of the Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Professor Dr. Md. Sirajul Islam. The conference was chaired by convener and FMB Department Chairman Professor Dr. Md. Aminur Rahman. Other notable speakers included Professor Dr. Md. Anisur Rahman, Professor Dr. Subrata Mondal, and Professor Dr. Manjurul Haque. The event was conducted by Professor Dr. Md. Mir Mosharraf Hossain and Assistant Professor Mosammat Sharmin Nahar.
