The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed on Thursday sought Japanese cooperation for technological development in Bangladesh.

Terming the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan as excellent, Prof Ahmed praised Tokyo's role in Bangladesh's infrastructure development as a single largest development partner.

The President made the remarks when visiting Vice Chancellor of Rikkoyo University of Japan Dr Kiyoshi Kasahara called on him at Bangabhaban.

Welcoming Dr Kasahara, Prof Ahmed thanked him for his keen interest in Bangladesh and its people.

The President also thanked the Japanese government for providing scholarship to Bangladeshi students.

Describing the Rikkoyo University as one of the oldest universities in Japan, Prof Ahmed said that the university could introduce education linkage programme with Bangladeshi universities, particularly, with Dhaka University, which would help expand people to people to contact between the two Asian countries.

Dr Kasahara praised Bangladeshi people and expressed hope that the country would be turned into a prosperous country very soon.

Bangladeshi Professor of Department of Social Design Studies of the Rikkoyo University Dr Nasir Uddin Jamadar was present.

Later, Prof Dr Toshio Koike, a Professor and an eminent metrological researcher of Tokyo University, called on the President in the afternoon.

During the meeting Dr Koike apprised the President of the World Climate Research Programme initiated by the Global Energy and water Cycle System of Systems (GEOSS), where he serves as the validation scientist for the advancement of Microwave Scanning Radiometer.

He also informed the President that Japan has very efficiently preserving data on metrological system which is used for climate research and water cycle system and archiving it very effective.

President Ahmed thanked Dr Koike for his initiative for the Asian water Cycle Initiative project under GEOSS Meghna River Basin, Bangladesh.

The President also urged the Dr Koike to help capacity building of Bangladesh Metrological Department especially in data archiving and providing training facilities for the concerned officials. It would develop Bangladesh's flood forecasting and water resource management, he added.

Defence Secretary Quamrul Hasan and Joint Secretary of Defence Ministry Brig Gen Shah Md Sultan Uddin Iqbal were present during the meeting.

Secretary of the President's Office Md Sirajul Islam, Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohammad Ruhul Amin and Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were also present in both the meetings.