AIUB and SUST Jointly Organized a Workshop on Food Security

AIUB AND SUST JOINTLY ORGANIZED A WORKSHOP ON FOOD SECURITY

The  workshop on Food Security for Vulnerable People: Issues and Policy Options is the second and last stage of the two planned workshops of the research project jointly undertaken by the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet.  The research project is entitled: Food Security Strategies of the People Living in Haor Areas: Status and Prospects. After about 18 months of  undertaking the research, the final research output will be ready for submission to the NFPCSP, FAO incorporating all vital comments and suggestions propounded during the workshops by the participants and key discussants. The first workshop presentation of the research outputs was held in AIUB last  May 13, 2010 while the second workshop was held in SUST, Sylhet on, 13 June 2010.  Both workshops were attended  by NFPCSP, FAO, Chief Technical Adviser Mr. Ciro Fiorillo and members, and Mr. Mirza Fazlul Karim, Director General, FPMU, Ministry of Food and Disaster Management, faculty members, NGOs, professionals and local government officials. The two Vice Chancellors had a mutual agreement to exchange role during the workshops. During the first workshop at AIUB, Prof. Dr. Saleh Uddin, VC of SUST, was kind to serve the honor as Chief Guest while Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna, VC of AIUB reciprocated by being the Chief Guest  of the second workshop recently  held in SUST, Sylhet. Each workshop had 2 parts, the inaugural and technical sessions. During the technical session, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Mizanul  Haque Kazal, Principal Investigator of the research project on Food Security Strategies of the People of Living in Haor Areas presented the highlights of the findings, conclusions and recommendations. The other members of the research team composed of  Dr. Charles C. Villanueva, Dean Faculty of Business Administration, delivered the Vote of Thanks, Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain, another member of the team delivered the vote of thanks during the first workshop in AIUB. The fourth member of the research team is Dr. Tulshi Kumar Das, Head of the Social Science Department, SUST. The presentations generated valuable comments from the participants and the key discussants which are inputs to the final preparation of the report. The paramount importance of Food Security on a national and global development perspectives were underscored by the speakers. The situation of the underserved communities like people living in Haors, in hinterlands, in poverty stricken areas were also given special mention and interest by the speakers. The workshops ended with cordial thanks to all the organizations and people who have contributed and collaborated in the successful completion of the project.