The Barishal University Research Society (BURS) has recently launched the first-ever eight-month multidisciplinary research internship and fellowship program at the University of Barishal (BU), aiming to strengthen students’ research skills and prepare them for future academic and research-oriented careers. The program was officially inaugurated through an orientation session held on Friday at the university’s Kirtankhola Hall.
A total of 160 students from 25 departments of the university are participating in the program. Designed as a long-term, structured initiative, the program seeks to cultivate a research-oriented mindset among students, promote awareness of research ethics, and enhance practical research competencies.
The orientation session, titled “Developing the Right Mindset & Understanding Research Ethics,” featured the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Barishal, Professor Dr Mohammad Taufiq Alam, as the chief guest. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Dr Md Shamsuzzaman from the Department of Computer and Communication Engineering at Patuakhali Science and Technology University.
Addressing the participants, Professor Dr Mohammad Taufiq Alam stressed that research should not be pursued merely for registration or certification.
“Research without genuine curiosity and the intention to generate new knowledge has little value,” he said, adding that the quality of research is far more important than the number of published papers. He noted that discoveries rooted in local contexts—such as identifying antibacterial compounds or proteins from coastal plants—could achieve significant international recognition.
Keynote speaker Professor Dr Md Shamsuzzaman described research as the ethical pursuit of uncovering truths that are yet to be discovered. He acknowledged the challenges of conducting research in public universities but emphasized that patience and dedication can lead to impactful outcomes.
“A researcher’s capability cannot be judged solely by publication count; depth and quality define true scholarship,” he said.
Several academics and organizers were also present at the event, including Professor Dr Khorshed Alam, chief advisor of BURS and associate professor of the Department of Physics; Professor Dr Hafiz Ashraful Haque, research director of BURS and dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences; Dr Gazi Sakhawat Hossain, student advisor and lecturer in the Department of Management Studies; and Md Azom Khan, founder and director of BURS. The session was chaired by Mesbah Uddin, president of the organization.
During the program, members involved in previous BURS research initiatives were recognized for their contributions, and the Best Executive Award was presented to individuals for their dedication and effective leadership.
The eight-month program will be implemented in multiple phases. Participants will work under the guidance of supervisors and mentors to learn research fundamentals, ethical practices, problem identification, and literature review. They will also receive hands-on training in data analysis tools such as SPSS, R, Python, GIS, NVivo, and KoboToolbox, along with opportunities to engage in real-world research projects. In its final stage, the program will focus on research paper writing, publication, conference participation, and planning for higher education and research-based careers.
Through this initiative, BURS aims to create a sustainable platform for nurturing research capacity and fostering academic excellence among students at the University of Barishal.
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