A trilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation has been signed by KiK Textiles and Non-Food GmbH, Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on 19 May 2022 to support the underprivileged and marginalized students of BUTEX, especially the females.
According to the MoU, a number of textile engineering students of the university are going to get a monthly stipend for 3 years. Students to and from Germany will get the opportunity to complete a semester in Germany and Bangladesh through credit transfer a student exchange program. Students of BUTEX will also get the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. degree in Germany. Students will be coached for higher studies and will be facilitated to develop their soft skills under the MoU.
The signing of the MoU, with a tenure till 2025 marks the momentous effort made by KiK, a well-reputed German retail brand and a member of the German government’s Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, to make quality education accessible for everyone. Mr. Patrick Zahn, CEO, KiK, and Mr. Angsar Lohmann, Head of Sustainability, KiK, were present and expressed the company’s interest in jointly strengthening scholarship structures in line with the strategic targets of the Bangladesh government to improve university access for students from the disadvantaged and marginalized background with a focus on female students.
The MoU signing ceremony took place at the Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) premises in presence of Mr. Johannes Schneider, Counsellor and Head of Development Cooperation from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dhaka, Dr. Angelika Fleddermann, Country Director of GIZ Bangladesh and the Vice-Chancellor of BUTEX, Professor Md. Abul Kashem.
This MoU has been signed under the project called “KiK- makes the difference” which is being implemented by the International Services Department of GIZ. It marks the initiation of scholarship cooperation between Bangladesh and Germany. This project also eyes to establish an “academia-industry link” to develop the leadership of the Bangladeshi textile engineering students and to create study opportunities for the students in Germany.
During the MoU personnel of the top management and faculties of BUTEX were present. Among them are the Registrar Dr. Shah Alimuzzaman; Dean of the Faculty of Fashion Design and Apparel Dr. Md. Moshiur Rahman Khan; Hosne Ara Begum, Head, Dept. of Yarn Engineering; Ummul Khair Fatema, Head, Dept. of Environmental Science and Engineering; Dr. Mohammad Abbas Uddin Shiyakh, Head, Dept. of Dyes and Chemical Engineering.
The delegation from KiK and GIZ also conducted a question-answer session with some student representatives.
Dr. Mohammad Abbas Uddin will act as the coordinator of this program. According to him, this initiative will open a new horizon for the students of BUTEX.
“This program has two aspects, one is to provide scholarships to the needy students and another one is to provide support to be prepared for achieving various national and international scholarships through various workshops, training, and counselling.”
