The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Monday appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s special support to scientific research and development of science and technology.The appreciation came when the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at her official residence Ganobhaban.
After the meeting Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Bijan Lal Dev briefed the reporters.
Ekmeleddin said, the OIC is encouraging the member states of the organization in spending one percent of GDP for research activities.
In this connection, he apprised the Prime Minister that the contribution of the member states to research activities has been raised to 0.8 percent from 0.2 percent since 2005.
The OIC Secretary General stressed the need for exchanging scholarship programs for higher education and scientific research among the member states of the OIC.
At the meeting, the Prime Minister terming research as the only tool for making progress in science and technology said, her government for the first time allocated fund for scientific research in her government’s previous tenure.
As a result, the production of jute, rice and other crops is boosting to a great extent.
In this regard she mentioned setting up 12 Science and Technology Universities, four Agriculture Universities and four Engineering Universities in the country for further advancement in science and technology sector.
The OIC Secretary General handed over handwritten duplicate copy of Holy Quran by Hazrat Osman (RA) to the Prime Minister.
Ambassador-At-Large M Ziauddin was, among others, present on the occasion. UNB
