The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony for Scientific Research and Development of Road Infrastructure between Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) and Bangladesh Road Research Laboratory (BRRL), Roads and Highways Department (RHD) was held at the AUST campus on Sunday, December 24, 2023. Prof. Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, Treasurer, AUST, and Mr. Ahsan Habib, Director, BRRL, RHD signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Fazli Ilahi, Vice-Chancellor, AUST; Prof. Dr. Mohammed Mahbubur Rahman, Pro Vice-Chancellor, AUST; Prof. Dr. Md. Mahmudur Rahman, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, AUST; Prof. Dr. Md. Hamidur Rahman, Registrar (In-Charge), AUST; Dr. Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Additional Chief Engineer, RHD and Faculty members of Civil Engineering Department, AUST were also present during the signing ceremony.   Prof. Dr. Sharmin Reza Chowdhury, Head, Department of Civil Engineering (CE), and Prof. Dr. Md. Shahid Mamun, CE signed the MoU as witnesses from the AUST side.

The MoU signing ceremony intended to create a collaborative partnership between Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) and Bangladesh Road Research Laboratory (BRRL), RHD. The collaboration research will focus on a number of interrelated factors to improve traffic operating conditions and road infrastructure in Bangladesh and carry out collaborative research programs to groom CE students with industry-level technical expertise.

Prof. Dr. Sharmin Reza Chowdhury, Head of the Department of CE, gave a perceptive address on the value of industry-academia cooperation and how it affects technical progress. His focus was on contemporary material technology. Dr. Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Additional Chief Engineer, RHD, discussed his thoughts and experiences regarding the newest developments in engineering and technology. He emphasized the value of fusing academic brilliance with business know-how to foster an atmosphere where creativity thrives and knowledge is put into practice.

Prof. Dr. Mohammed Mahbubur Rahman, Pro Vice-Chancellor of AUST stated that this kind of Memorandum of Understanding will assist students in understanding the actual working environment and motivate them to participate more actively in research. Additionally, he suggested to formulate research ideas on contemporary aspects of road construction so that the findings can be applied in Bangladesh.

Vice Chancellor of AUST Prof. Dr. Muhammad Fazli Ilahi expressed his happiness about the collaboration between Bangladesh Road Research Laboratory (BRRL), RHD, and Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST). He emphasized how important it is to support these kinds of partnerships in order to establish an environment that is favorable to research, development, and information sharing.