DHAKA: Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) former senior advisor Dr Eirik G Jansen delivered a Talk on ‘Revisiting a Village in Bangladesh after 35 Years: the Great improvements that have occurred’.

IUB social sciences and humanities department organized the program on Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) campus in Bashundhara, Dhaka on Thursday (January 28).

In his lecture, Dr Jansen mentioned the ‘dramatic changes’ that have taken place in the country, particularly in the village he has been revisiting since last 35 years.

He mentioned, isolation has gone and technology and satellite television have changed the rural life of Bangladesh.

Dr Jansen shared his experiences of visiting a village in Manikganj district from early seventies.

He recalled, only 10 percent people had the surplus food and employment opportunity was very limited. Even the food intake was very poor. But now the agricultural production has gone up by three times and employment opportunities have increased by manifold both in home and in abroad. Transportation, education and health situation have significantly improved. People were very gloomy and pessimist but now the scenario has changed from ‘pessimistic to optimistic’, he mentioned.

Earlier, Independent University Bangladesh (IUB) vice-chancellor Professor M. Omar Rahman delivered the welcome remarks. He mentioned how the health sectors have developed significantly through last few decades.

Social sciences and humanities department lecturer Obydullah Al Marjuk conducted the program, ended up with a question answer session.

Faculty members, management officials and a good numbers of students also attended the program.

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Dr Eirik G Jansen is former Senior Advisor of Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)

BDST: 1914 HRS, JAN 28, 2016
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