Education minister pledges support for housing expansion, research grants and eastern campus development
BUET to Get New Residential Hall Named After Abrar Fahad
Education and Primary Education Minister Dr. A. N. M. Ehsanul Hoque Milan has announced plans to establish a new residential hall at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in memory of Abrar Fahad as part of efforts to address the university’s accommodation shortage.
The minister also pledged financial support for land acquisition to facilitate BUET’s expansion in the eastern region.
He made the announcement while speaking as chief guest at the orientation programme for newly admitted students of the 2025–26 academic session held on Saturday.
The event was chaired by BUET Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ekramul Haque and attended by the Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, Registrar Prof. Nayeb Md. Golam Zakaria and senior university officials.
Addressing the students, the minister said transforming educated citizens into productive human resources remains one of the government’s priorities and today’s students will play a critical role in achieving national development goals.
Referring to the tragic incident involving Abrar Fahad, he said the proposed hall would serve both as a tribute and as a reminder for future generations.
He further stated that the government would take effective measures to ease BUET’s housing crisis and increase research grants while modernising laboratories to strengthen research capacity.
According to the minister, many research facilities in the country still rely on outdated equipment, limiting the scope for advanced and internationally competitive research.
Highlighting public investment in education, he said Tk 136,000 crore has been allocated for the sector under government planning and stressed the importance of ensuring effective utilisation of the funds.
Encouraging BUET students, he noted that while joining public administration is valuable, Bangladesh also needs more innovators, researchers and technology-driven leaders.
Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin said the government aims to build an education system that produces skilled, employable and responsible citizens.
In his closing remarks, BUET Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ekramul Haque encouraged students to balance academic freedom with responsibility and emphasised the importance of developing soft skills. He added that BUET currently operates 33 student clubs to support holistic student development.
//DBTech/SI/EK//
