On 14 March, 2023, MOU signing ceremony was held between American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) and Housing and Building Research Institute (HBRI) at the HBRI premises. HBRI also invited Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET) to sign a MOU on the same event. The event marked a significant milestone in the organizations' effort to collaborate and promote research and innovation in the field of architecture, engineering and construction.
The event was chaired by the eminent academicians and professionals from all participating institutions including the Pro-Vice Chancellor and the Head of the Department of Architecture, AIUB; the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar and the Head of the Department of Building Engineering and Construction Management (BECM) of RUET; the Director General and the Principal Research Officer of HBRI. The audience was adorned by students of Design Studio VIII and IX of Department of Architecture, AIUB along with the senior and junior staffs of HBRI.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the host of the event, Mariam Hossain Nupur, Research Officer, HBRI, provided a brief introduction about the event with a warm welcome to the guests. The ceremony began with an inauguration speech by Principal Research Officer, Md. Nafizur Rahman, who highlighted the contribution of HBRI in the field of housing and building research and development. The next speaker was M. Arefeen Ibrahim, Head of the Department of Architecture at AIUB, who spoke about the potential benefits of the collaboration between AIUB and HBRI. Also, he delivered a brief presentation regarding the significant achievements and events of Department of Architecture, AIUB since the beginning of its journey as one of the accredited schools of Architecture in Bangladesh. After that, Prof. Dr. Md. Robiul Awall, Head of the Department of Building Engineering and Construction Management (BECM) of RUET also provided a short presentation on RUET, as the 2nd oldest public Engineering University of Bangladesh, it’s quality of education and research in the field of engineering and technology. The event was graced by the presence of the Pro Vice Chancellor Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman of AIUB and the Vice Chancellor Dr. Md. Sazzad Hossain of RUET, who both spoke about the opportunities for joint research and development initiatives with HBRI.
Following the speeches of the honorable guests, the ceremony was highlighted by signing of MOU with representatives from AIUB and HBRI, as well as RUET and HBRI. The MOUs aimed to establish long-term cooperation in research and development, exchange of information, resources, and facilities, joint projects, and programs in between the participating institutes.
The signing was followed with the presentation of crests and Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) by HBRI to AIUB and RUET as a token of appreciation. HBRI was also presented with a gift from AIUB and RUET. The event was concluded with a thanksgiving by Md. Ashraful Alam, the Director General of HBRI.
After the ceremony, the students were given a tour of HBRI's laboratories, model houses and factory where the innovations of HBRI were well explained by the respective professionals and researchers of HBRI to the students. The tour was followed by a lunch and photo session.
Overall, the event was a grand success and very well-received by the participants marking the start of a new era of collaboration and innovation in the field of housing and building between AIUB and HBRI.
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