BUTEX Representative:

A seminar titled "Hafizuddin Ahmed and Fatema Ahmed Trust Lecture-2025" was organized by the Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) Spinners Club. The seminar focused on the role of jute in sustainable development and building a green Bangladesh in the future.

The seminar started at 10 am on October 15 (Wednesday) at the university auditorium. The program was presided over by BUTEX Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Eng. Md. Julhas Uddin and Advisor to the Ministry of Textiles and Jute Sheikh Bashir Uddin was present as the chief guest. The special guests were Dr. Nargis Akhtar, Director of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Eng. Khan Manjur Morshed, Vice-President of IEB, Eng. Ahsanul Karim Kaiser, Convener of ITET, Eng. Mohiuddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Textile Engineering Department of IEB. The keynote speaker was Professor Dr. Hosne Ara Begum of the University's Department of Yarn Engineering.

Former Professor Rashida Akhtar Khanam of Dhaka University delivered the inaugural speech at the beginning of the program. Other speakers included Professor Dr. Hosne Ara Begum, Eng. Mohiuddin Ahmed, Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Dr. Nargis Akhtar, Eng. Khan Manjur Morshed, Eng. Ahsanul Karim Kaiser and lastly, Professor Dr. Eng. Md. Julhas Uddin.

Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Advisor to the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, said, "There are obstacles as well as opportunities in our industry. The demand for jute, once the most important resource of the textile industry, has now decreased alarmingly. We are responsible for this. Until we can analyze it in the light of reality, we will be further damaged and lag behind. In my opinion, we need to increase the number of skilled workers by increasing production, bring innovative thinking among ourselves and make arrangements for implementation that will set us apart from others."

Professor of the Department of Yarn Engineering, Dr. Hosne Ara Begum, said in his speech, "Currently, one of the causes of environmental pollution is the use of plastic polythene. If we try, we can stop its use and bring alternatives. In these cases, the use of jute is much more environmentally friendly than other fibers. Jute, which was once in high demand, is not being used properly due to our own carelessness. The use of jute is as environmentally friendly as it is economically profitable. The use of jute and other environmentally friendly fibers will protect the environment from pollution."

Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Eng. Md. Julhas Uddin mentioned in his speech, "Since jute is a natural and environmentally friendly fiber, there is a need for extensive study and research on it. There is a need for more research on how to increase the use of jute in other areas, not just jute or shopping bags. I will try to create a new department and research center on jute fiber at Butex. We have to find a way to make high-quality textile products from jute raw materials. Only then will we be able to bring back the lost glory of jute."

After the speech, the program ended with the presentation of mementos to the guests and a visit to the stalls.

The students expressed their hope that the seminar, with the voluntary participation of teachers and students at Butex Auditorium, will make an important contribution to the sustainable development of the textile and jute sector, environmentally friendly production, and the formation of a green economy in Bangladesh.