The Department of Fisheries and Marine Science at Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) has initiated the commencement of PhD program for the first time, focusing on aquatic food. The research program will run for five years.
On May 5, this information was known through a notice published on the university's website. The notice states that two students will have the opportunity to join this PhD program.
According to the notice, the PhD program will run for five years in collaboration with a total of six institutions and organizations, including University of Copenhagen, Denmark; University of Sterling, UK; University of Aveiro, UK; ICDDR,B, and NSTU.
The notice further states that for two thematic areas, two selected candidates will receive monthly scholarships and funding for research work in the UK and Denmark for six months each.
Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, Head of the Fisheries and Marine Science Department and co-supervisor of the PhD program, said, “Initiating the PhD program at the university is a new milestone for us. Here, students will conduct research using their knowledge, which will play an important role in various sectors of the country, including the economy and society.”
Regarding the PhD program, he said, “The subject of the PhD program to be started is the aquatic system. It is evident that due to climate change, the temperature is rising, and the salinity of the sea is increasing, which is having adverse effects on biodiversity. However, in such adverse conditions, we are working to overcome challenges and find solutions by continuing fish farming while maintaining harmony with the environment. This will enable us to ensure the continuity of food and nutrition. It is observed that people are suffering from various types of malnutrition due to the lack of various vitamins, magnesium, iron, etc. In this regard, aquatic food will play a necessary role in providing various nutrients such as vitamins, magnesium, iron, etc.”
He further said, “There will be a cross-sectional study here so that we can see which elements are present in aquatic food in what quantities. How is the health of those who eat it? How are the results later? And to be able to suggest which elements need to be added to their food to reduce it. If we can solve it through natural food, then there will be no need to take medicine as a supplement.”
Expressing gratitude to the university administration, he said, “As a new university, we have started the PhD program in 18 years. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the university authorities for their utmost cooperation. I hope that if everyone works together, NSTU will be one of the leading institutions in the world.”
Regarding this, the Director of the Research Cell and treasurer of the university, Professor Dr Newaz Mohammad Bahadur, stated that the initiation of the PhD program at the university is definitely good news for us. We have formulated a policy and admission policy. Now, those who want to enroll can do so according to the policy. However, it should be noted here that for the PhD, it shouldn't be just for the certificate. The quality of the PhD must be maintained. There will be no compromise in this regard. Since this is our first time, we want to start it steadily and securely.
On this matter, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Dr Md Didar-ul-Alam, said that without a PhD, the evaluation of the university is incomplete. It is through the PhD that the university's indicators improve. There is potential for starting PhD programs in several departments of our university, such as Pharmacy, Applied Chemistry, Microbiology, and ESDM. Many researches are conducted through collaboration between the teachers of these departments and the professors of foreign universities. Those departments that want to start PhD programs need to adhere to the rules and regulations, and they need to have a sufficient number of professors and international standard research papers.
He further said that in terms of advancing in university rankings, many indicators are considered such as how many masters and PhD programs are there, research papers published in international journals, etc. If we can start PhD programs, then we can advance in rankings as well. We have instructed other departments as well to adhere to the policy and start PhD programs.
Since they will be doing advanced studies, we will try to provide them with the highest support from the university's side.
