Foreign ministry signs MoU with North South University to work on 'public good'

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the North South University (NSU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding or MoU to promote what the ministry said “public good and national interests”.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 10 Sept 2017, 07:47 PM
Updated : 10 Sept 2017, 08:01 PM

Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and Vice Chancellor Prof Atique Islam signed the deal from the respective sides at the foreign ministry on Sunday.

As per the MoU, “both parties will engage in cooperation in fields of broad common interest, expertise and shall engage in the development of collaborative educational activities/ programs in mutually agreed areas on a not-for-profit basis,” the foreign ministry said.

“In that context, different activities will be undertaken to enhance the exchange, creation and promotion of knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable development and international politics, business and relations.”

Both parties will collaborate in the development of short and long duration course, study, exchange initiatives, programmes involving academics, experts, practitioners, serving or retired diplomats, scholars from the Ministry and the University for research, training and capacity building purposes.

The Foreign Service Academy (FSA) will be engaged in a “befitting manner” for execution of the programmes.

The Ministry would also engage Bangladesh missions abroad to “leverage” the agreed activities or in drawing up “innovative initiatives that would contribute to long-term developmental or strategic interests of Bangladesh”.

The foreign secretary expressed hope that this MoU will “help developing global citizenship and collaborate in the field of education and research, particularly in international politics, business and relations through exchanging and sharing knowledge”.

The vice chancellor termed the signing of MoU as the “glorious era of cooperation” between the public and the private sector.

North South University Chairman of Board of Trustee Md. Shajahan, Pro-VC (designate) Prof Giasuddin Ahsan, Dean of School of Business and Economics Prof Dr Mahboob Rahman, Director of External Affairs Dr Katherine Li and Director General (West Europe and the European Union) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Khorshed Alam Khastagir were present at the signing.