The New Nation - Internet Edition

Implement ADP for raising standard of life

Staff Reporter

The country's economic development is not progressing with the speed needed to implement the annual development programme by June 2008. Economic development of the country refers to the utilisation of the available resources to increase the national income and the per capita productivity.

Williams and Batricks said, "Economic development refers to a process whereby the people of the country or region come to utlise the resources available and to bring about sustained and increase in per capita production of goods and services." According to Meir and Baldwin, "Economic development is a process whereby an economy's real national income increases over a long period of time."

Most of the economists are of the view that the increase in the national income and per capita productivity is the criterion of the economic development of a country. From that point, Bangladesh has achieved a remarkable economic successes during the period 2001-2006 despite spread of corruptions at all the levels of the state machineries.

But it cannot be said that a country has economically progressed if the costs of living are higher than the real income, if the producers are deprived of their due shares in the sale price and if the country's wealth is accumulated into the hands of the few.

If the government of a country becomes successful in raising the standard of life and reduces the poverty rate and works towards ensuring food, clothing, shelter, education and medicine for every man and woman living within a given territory, then it could be said there has been real economic development.

The present economic situations of Bangladesh should be judged from the aforesaid points and then it will be easy for one to arrive at a conclusion. At present, prices of some of the essentials are too high and it is necessary for the caretaker government to bring down the price at tolerable level.

NDISC to boost students civic responsibility

Mrs. Fatema Mazid, Founder Principal of New Dhaka International School & College (NDISC) in collaboration with Bangladesh Society for Total Quality Management (BSTQM) has been working towards instilling quality in the students studying in her school. She is a member of the Executive Committee of BSTQM and has participated in several local and international seminars on Quality Circles along with her students and teachers and received awards for her achievements. In addition to the standard curriculum, she teaches her students to learn life skills so that they become responsible citizen.

It was nice to see a Fish Bone Diagram presentation showing various issues of the school and their solutions recommended by the student groups in a recent Scholarship and Prize distribution ceremony at the school. Ashraful Moqbool, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education was the Chief Guest at the ceremony where speakers lauded the role of Mrs. Fatema Mazid in trying this unique and exceptional method to provide quality education in her school.

President of BSTQM Engr.M.A. Awal and Secretary of BSTQM Abul Basher attended the ceremony as special guests and they emphasised the need to infuse quality at the early stage of life in school so as to bring desired change in the society. The function was also attended by Kabir, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Asia University.

The Additional Secretary Ashraful Moqbool in his speech appreciated the innovation for quality education at New Dhaka International School and encouraged the students, teachers and parents to work together for a better tomorrow.

Fresher's reception ceremony held at BUET

A fresher's reception ceremony was held at BUET for the students' of Level-I, Term-I, of session 2007-2008 organised by the University.

The functions was addressed by Prof. Dr. A. M. M. Safiullah, Vice-Chancellor, BUET on Saturday (l9th January, 2008) at the University Central Auditorium. The V. C. said, "If you like to build up your future, it will be your main task to study regularly & attentively. In addion you should abide by the rules of BUET to run the-Academic atmosphere properly." The function was also addressed by Prof. Dr. A. S. W. Kumy Acting Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf Dean, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Prof. Sarwar Jahan, Dean, Faculty of' Architecture and Planning, Prof. Dr. S. Shahnawaz Ahmed, Dean, Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Prof.. Md Imtiaz Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Prof. Dr. Maglub Nur, Director, Students' Welfare. The newiy admitted students', teacher's officer's employees and Registrar of BUET Md. Shahjahan also attended the ceremony.

IBCF holds meeting

26th meeting of Islamic Banks Consultative Forum (IBCF) was held on 19 January, in the Board Room of Islami Bank Tower. Prof. Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher, Chairman of the Forum and Chairman, Board of Directors of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited presided over the meeting.

The meeting was attended, among others, Shah Abdul Hannan, advisor of Islamic Banks Consultative Forum, Akkas Uddin Molla, Chairman, ShahJalal Islami Bank Limited, Anowar Hossain, Chairman, AI-Arafa Islami Bank Limited, N.F. Bulbul, Director and Chairman of Audit Committee of Exim Bank Limited, M. Fariduddin Ahmad, Executive President of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, Kazi Moshiur Rahman, Managing Director of Exim Bank Limited, Mohammad Ali, Managing Director of Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited, Nasiruddin Ahmad, Deputy Managing Director of Prime Bank Limited, H.M. Khalequzzaman, Deputy Managing Director of Oriental Bank Limited, M. Shouquat Ali, Secretary of Islamic Banks Consultative Forum and Executive Vice President of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, A.B.M. Abdus Sattar, Vice President of Arab Bangladesh Bank Limited, Md. Wahidur Rahman Chowdhury, First Assistant Vice President of Dhaka Bank Limited, A.Q.M. Saifullah, Senior Principal Officer of Exim Bank Limited and Md. Fariduddin, Deputy Secretary of Islamic Banks Consultative Forum.

ISUU working rechabilitate the poor

Isamoti Somaj Unnyan Uddog (ISUU), a rural based institution located at southern tip of the ountry at Village-Kazimohalla, Thana-Debhata, District-Satkhira has been actively involved in various social activities for the development of rural poor people and construction of low cost housing for them.

ISUU has also been providing financial assistance to poor students who cannot pursue their studies for want of money. It has also been providing financial assistance poor for urgent medical treatment which is almost nonexistent in the area. ISUU assised one Asghar Ali to bear the cost of a artificial leg which was amputated due to gangrene for lack of medical care. A young man of 33 years age, Asgar Ali was forced to beggary as he could not walk. Now he has got new life. He can walk and work and earn his livelihood.

BA launches green initiative

British Airways (BA) took fresh steps today to intensify its work in limiting aviation's impact on climate change.

The airline unveiled a new carbon offset scheme, and backing for deforestation prevention in Brazil and research into the effects of aircraft's non-carbon emissions.

The upgraded offset scheme uses UN certified emissions reductions to help finance clean energy projects in developing countries.

Customers offsetting their flight emissions will be supporting a Biomass power plant in Mahasamund in India along with a new windfarm in one of the poorest regions of China, as well as run-of-the-river hydro electric plants in China and Brazil.

The scheme is more user-friendly with customers able to buy their offset in one transaction when they book their flight on ba.com.

The UK Government's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, Hilary Benn, welcomed the scheme: 'After avoiding and reducing our emissions, offsetting has a role to play in helping us all to tackle climate change. That's why the government has been working to set up a code of best practice for companies who sell carbon offsetting/ he said.

'I hope this welcome scheme will encourage BA customers to offset their flights and so help to tackle emissions from aviation.'

In addition to the offset scheme, British Airways is to invest in a range of projects to help protect the Brazilian rainforest and improve understanding of ways of combating one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases.

British Airways will also back work led by Cambridge University aimed at establishing robust scientific understanding of the non-C02 effects of aviation by 2012.

Silla Maizey, head of corporate responsibility, said the new initiatives underlined the seriousness of the airline's commitment to tackling climate change.

She went on: 'We were the first airline to offer carbon offsets, and we intend to remain at the forefront in this area.

Shakhawat new JEVP of FILI

Mohammed Shakhawat Hossain (Salim) has been promoted as Joint Executive Vice President (Dev) with the portfolio of Head of Development Administration, Sarbojonin Bima, the only Micro Insurance Scheme of Fareast Islami Life Insurance Co. Ltd. says a press release.

Prior to this position, he was Senior Vice President (Dev) of Sharbojonin Bima of the Company. Shakhawat Hossain joined the Fareast Islami Life Insurance Co. Ltd. as an Assistant Vice President in the development wing in October 2000 and promoted up to this glorious position within a very short span of time considering his excellent and dynamic performance. He holds various important responsible positions of the company including incharge of the Eastern region of the company.

Training on english for business communication underway at DCCI

Khandaker Shahidul Islam, Vice President, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) inaugurated a 3 months long training program on English for Business Communication jointly being offered at the SEDF. DCCI Knowledge Center from the 19th January 2008. Khandaker Shahidul Islam emphasized on the importance of knowledge of English for communication. He said that they must learn proper English for good communication as people cannot find suitable job in the job market because of insufficient knowledge of English.

Md. Hossain Ali, Executive Director Ad, DCCI Business Institute explained the role of SEDF and DCCI in organizing the training to meet the requirement of business community, entrepreneurs, executive and others interested. He also said that about 40 short general training courses and diploma courses on Supply Chain Management (PSCM) of ITC UNCTAD/WTO, Geneva is being organized by DCCI Business Institute (DBI). The program was moderated by Md. Jawadur Rahman Choudhury, Joint Secretary, Projects and Training DBI.

Recently DCCI and SEDF Knowledge Centre has taken up three months long programs on 'English for Business Communication’ and 'PC and Internet’ at DCCI, specially for the people who are interested and located near Motijheel. Mrs. Shahnaz Faruk, an well experienced English Trainer conducted the training program on the firdt day. A good number of participants are taking part in the program.