Celebrating 60 years of engineering education in Bangladesh (1947-2007)

Abstract

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) is the premier institute in Bangladesh in terms of quality of education, enhancing the potential of students, teaching quality, teaching environment, transparency and accountability at all levels. The history of BUET can be traced back to 1876 when the Dacca Survey School was established. In continuation of it, the graduate program in Engineering was started in 1947. Incidentally, that was the first program offering engineering degree in this part of the region which is now known as Bangladesh. Through passage of time, BUET has now reached a juncture where it needs to be developed as a global institute of excellence in engineering and technology; whose graduates will be able to take up challenges and provide leadership in engineering activities anywhere in the world. This can be achieved only through goal oriented and outcome based education. In order to achieve this goal, a deeper insight into the past to learn from the successes and failures with the blend of valuable feedbacks from the distinguished alumni allover the world is the need of the time. The 60th anniversary of Ahsanullah Engineering College (later upgraded to a University in 1962) provided an opportunity to do just that. To celebrate this historical occasion in a befitting manner, BUET has organized six-month long series of programs and events. The objectives of celebration are: • To look at the evolution of engineering education in Bangladesh • To review the contribution of our graduates in nation building and development activities • To formulate a strategic plan/vision to develop BUET as a global institute of excellence in engineering and technology It should be noted that at present Bangladesh is producing around 3000 graduate engineers, 300 architects and 100 planners annually. However, there are meagre opportunities for post-graduate studies and researches in the engineering and technological fields. As the pioneer institute for engineering study, BUET plans to put more emphasis on post-graduate studies and researches. Furthermore, emphasis is to be given on cutting edge technologies like robotics, nanoengineering and multi-disciplinary subjects like bio-medical engineering, accident research, housing for the poor, etc. BUET is working on achieving these strategic visions in the near future.